The Bavarian political celebrities are doing the honors tonight at the recording of the “Fastnacht in Franken”. The selection of the costumes will probably be exciting.
Update from February 16, 6:58 p.m .: Markus Söder is part of the BR recording of “Fastnacht in Franconia” today. Before that, there was already a lot of speculation as to which costume he would be the guest in (see first report). After all, the Prime Minister is known for his unusual costumes. On Instagram he now surprises with a post. Söder can be seen with numerous other guests – such as Bernd Sibler – at the carnival. Everyone is in colorful costumes, only Söder is not disguised.
He is only wearing a black suit with a bow tie and an FFP2 mask with the Franconian rake. It remains to be seen whether he didn’t have enough time to change after today’s federal-state meeting or whether he didn’t feel like it because of the corona pandemic. “If Thomas Gottschalk celebrates a comeback, then I have to too,” he writes under the photos. “Next year there will be a costume again (when Corona is over).”
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First report from February 16, 1.30 p.m .: Veitshöchheim – Carnival in Bavaria has now fallen victim to the corona pandemic * for the second time. Although there are isolated events here and there, the big break – as it was before 2020 – is missing. The big figurehead of the carnival – the “Fastnacht in Franken” – will take place again this year. To the annoyance of many fans, not live again, but with a large selection of political celebrities.
BR records “Fastnacht in Franken”: In which costume will Söder throw himself?
BR has been broadcasting “Fastnacht aus Franken” live from the Lower Franconian community of Veitshöchheim (district of Würzburg*) since 1987. It is one of the most successful formats of the station and is considered a viewer magnet. But like last year, there will be no live broadcast this year. The carnival party will be recorded and broadcast on Friday evening. That’s why we’re already celebrating this Wednesday. However, BR studio manager Tassilo Forchheimer promised: “It will feel like a live broadcast.”
Similar to other major events with a celebrity factor, the outfits will be the topic of conversation for the evening, in addition to the show itself. In recent years, many politicians – above all, mostly conservative representatives of their guild – have shown their wild side. Above all, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder* (CSU). The head of state was known for his unusual costumes for a long time. He has acted as Shrek, performed as a member of the rock band Kiss or dressed up as Prince Regent Luitpold. However, it is doubtful whether he will still have much time after the MPK to slip into an extravagant outfit.
Video: What are the differences between Mardi Gras, Fastnacht and Mardi Gras?
“Carnival in Franconia”: Politicians from almost all parties do the honors
In addition to the head of state, representatives of almost all other parties in the Bavarian state parliament are expected at the event. State President Ilse Aigner (CSU) is also on the guest list, as are the Greens parliamentary group leaders Katharina Schulze and Ludwig Hartmann. Minister of Education Michael Piazolo will take part for the Free Voters. Group leader Martin Hagen from the FDP, like Florian von Brunn and Ronja Endres from the SPD, wants to give their fool in the heart an outlet tonight.
A total of around 170 people are to be accommodated in the Mainfrankensäle in Veitshöchheim, which is usually designed for 600 guests. Some of the artists involved have already assured that there will be a carnival atmosphere even with few spectators in the hall and without a live broadcast: “It’s fun, we were very happy that we can work together here,” said Volker Heissmann from Duo “Waltraud & Mariechen”. The Fastnacht fans have to do without an ensemble that doesn’t come from Franconia but still enjoys cult status: The “Altneihauser Feierwehrkapell’n” from the Upper Palatinate canceled their performance because it was very difficult to rehearse during the pandemic.
Critical tones in the direction of politics are also expected – for example because of how culture is dealt with in the pandemic. She hopes Söder chooses “a thick skin” as a costume, said Ines Procter, who will be on stage as a “foolish cleaning lady”. Ventriloquist Sebastian Reich rated the ceremonial session as a “sign forward”: “The culture is still alive.” (tel with dpa) *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
