Mainz carnival

A scripture of the Mainz humanist writer Dietrich Gresemund dated to the end of the 15th century describes carnival as an unorganized Volksfest comprising masquerade, meals, drinking and dancing during day and night.

The origins of the contemporary carnival in Mainz lie in the strengthening of the middle class after the end of the Ancien Régime at the beginning of the 19th century and stronger economic relations with Cologne.

In the latter city, reforms were made in the carnival in 1823, which introduced carnevalistic events in great halls,[5] as well as a big parade on Rosenmontag.

In addition, the middle-class in Mainz strived for alternate forms of social gatherings and readily accepted the Cologne Reform, with the slight variation of placing a greater emphasis on opposition and competition.

[7] Like other carnival organizations in the Rhineland at the time, fees for joining were high enough that participation was largely restricted to the upper middle class.

It was not until the mid-19th century that a proliferation of clubs and resulting drop in membership fees allowed lower middle class participation.

His primary objective was that the rather disgustingly vulgar people's carnival was transformed by organized activities to an orderly event, generating revenue for the innkeepers and attracting tourists.

The activities of the carnivalistic organizations (MCV, Ranzengarde, Rosenmontagszug, sessions) had been watched closely by the grand ducal authorities, but generally allowed to continue.

Starting in the 1840s, political commentary and critique had become much more common in carnival events, especially in the weekly club meetings that ostensibly existed to organize celebrations.

This one, founded by a chimney sweep and a paper hanger, had an inexpensive membership fee to allow working class citizens to participate.

By 1855, however, the tradition began to see a resurgence, leading to a rapid increase in the number of club members and to the foundation of new corporations (Kleppergarde, 1856).

The guards, who spoof military habits and oaths, have a big role in the street carnival, making up large portions of the parades.

For example, floats during one parade in the late 1980s showed Uncle Sam and a Russian soldier climbing out of suits of armor, and portrayed Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in a bathtub.