Safety measures shape the Cologne Carnival 2025: Celebrate despite fear!
Safety measures shape the Cologne Carnival 2025: Celebrate despite fear!
The street carnival in Germany has started this year under greatly increased security measures. On February 27, 2025, the media reported noticeable uncertainty among the celebrating, especially after Islamist groups called for attacks during the carnival in social networks. However, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) classifies these calls as "propaganda publications". Despite this assessment, the security forces have implemented extensive measures.
in Cologne city center, where many tens of thousands of celebrations are traditionally expected, police and patrol cars are omnipresent. Car bangs are set up to ensure the safety of visitors. A total of 9,900 police officers are in use in North Rhine-Westphalia, which corresponds to 2,500 officers more than on a typical Thursday service. Cologne police chief Johannes Hermanns and the Interior Minister Herbert Reul appeal to people not to be intimidated by terrorists.
safety precautions and missing participants
Despite the intensive security precautions, "recognizable less was going on in Cologne than in previous years". This could be due to the threats of attack and the celebrations that have already taken place during the long carnival session. The traditional carnival session runs in North Rhine-Westphalia from November 11th to Ash Wednesday
Special events are planned for Rose Monday in various cities in Germany. In Marburg, for example, the traditional wagon parade is canceled, instead a carnival festival is celebrated in the town hall. This decision results from the increased security requirements according to the fatal attacks in the recent past, which have further exacerbated the danger situation. The Federation of German Carnival with its 5,300 clubs and 2.6 million members has brought the security organization into the focus for the 3500 to be expected by Ash Wednesday.
Some carnival clubs have found creative solutions or canceled events, such as in Heidenheim, where 12 out of 14 clubs had to give up. Psychologist Stephan Grünewald emphasizes the social importance of the carnival in times of noticeable divisions and emphasizes the connecting forces that bring such celebrations. Large celebrations were held in Düsseldorf, in which the “Möhnen” stormed the town hall, and also the 200th anniversary of the Düsseldorf Carnevals is celebrated here.
public security initiatives
In view of the high number of visitors at large events, security issues are particularly important. Publicity campaigns aim to communicate security measures and to inform the population about the possibilities of safer participation in carnival events. The Hessian Ministry of the Interior has launched a special funding program for safety elements in public space, which is supposed to create additional security offers.The challenges associated with these major festivals are also increasingly noticeable in the cities. At the security concepts in Mainz, for example, it can already be seen that the authorities have to develop new strategies in order to ensure both security and to enable the celebrating a carefree festival.
For the coming days, it is to be hoped that the carnival festivities can take place in a positive and safe framework, despite the continuing threats and high safety precautions. The will to celebrate and come together remains strong, even if the circumstances are challenging.
The current events and the reactions of the celebrants are a reflection of social sensations and challenging framework conditions in today's world, in which celebrations are not only a pleasure, but also an act of solidarity and resistance to fear.
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