Carnival
Elzach, Germany
About
A yearly highlight in mid February is watching the carnival in Elzach, where the ancient tradition is still alive. Carnival originated as a tradition of Roman Catholics. The celebration of Carnival ends on Ash Wednesday. The festival starts on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, known in Elztal as Schmutziger Donnerstag. In German, 'schmutzig' means dirty, but the name stems from the local dialect meaning fat as in 'Greasy Thursday.' The day is also called Women's Carnival (Weiberfastnacht), being the day when women take control - in Elzach, only once a year.
