Spring walks along the main street of Mittenwald, towards the beautiful frescoed bell tower, opening the Fasching parade (Carnival). She wears a cone-shaped headdress and a light blue shawl. Behind her, twelve Schellenrührer (bell shakers) advance in slow leaps, shaking the cowbells tied to their backs. They are holding sticks decorated with fir branches and white and blue ribbons. No one can recognize them: their faces are hidden behind hand-carved wooden masks (Larven), their hair is covered by cloth and a hat. They represent the twelve months of the year and have the task of chasing away the long winter, with shouts of celebration.
Winter is represented by a straw doll, which four Jacklschutzers make fly in the air while holding out a cotton sheet. The Goaßlschnalzen crack their whips while the musicians accompany them with accordions, drums and brass instruments.
You have to take a step back when the Mühlradl arrives, a tree trunk on two wheels, dragged at full speed by a group of characters with covered faces. Two couples are sitting on the wheels, spinning wildly while holding each other firmly. Bears, witches with brooms, elves with big hats and many other beautiful characters color the streets and celebrate, reawakening Spring.
Mittenwald is located in Oberbayern, not far from Garmisch-Partenkirche. This charming village at the foot of the Alps is known for a long tradition of master luthiers and for the wonderful frescoed houses, typical of this area. During the Unsinniger Donnerstag (Shrove Thursday) you can admire the parade of traditional masks, Maschkera.
Photographs, illustrations and videos © by Arianna M. Romano
Sources: Wikipedia, TuttoBaviera, Maschkera.de
