Bonn in the Fairy Forest: The Prince and Princess shine at a spectacular reception!

Bonn in the Fairy Forest: The Prince and Princess shine at a spectacular reception!

On Friday, a reception took place in the atrium of the Rectorate building of the University of Bonn, which was transformed into an imaginative “fairy forest”. Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch warmly welcomed the Bonn prince couple, Prince Oliver I. (Little) and Bonna Maike I. (Dr. Derenbach), and took on the role of a sorcerer. The event, which was part of the traditional Bonn carnival, included a production in which the university was in “distress,” as a nod to the challenges in the excellence competition.

The royal couple, dressed in opulent costumes, had to pass various tests, which they mastered with flying colors and received university medals for it. Among the guests were numerous representatives from politics, science and the Bonn city society as well as the Bonn child prince couple Lukas I. and Mia-Lani I. and Gaurang I. from the carnival society UN Funken e.V. What is particularly noteworthy is that a delegation of students from the partner university Waseda in Japan had the longest journey and was awarded medals from various Bonn carnival societies.

Insight into the cultural diversity of the university

On Saturday, following the reception, the carnival continued with a “shopping tour” in “P26”, the university’s shop window in downtown Bonn. The royal couple gained interesting insights into the university's cultural heritage, which includes, among other things, Egyptian finds and plaster casts of important works of art. A highlight was the presentation of a plaster cast of a statue of Bacchus, which was lost during World War II and recently returned. Prof. Dr. Harald Wolter-von dem Knesebeck led this insightful presentation.

The Bonn Carnival continues on Women's Carnival and Shrove Monday, with university members being granted the whole day "free". Another highlight is the university's participation in the Rose Monday parade, where catching university ducks is an additional attraction. The P26 was also open to the public daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the “great days” from February 28th to March 2nd, supplemented by special opening hours on Violet Tuesday.

Carnival – an important cultural festival

Carnival, also known as Fastelovend, Fasenacht or Fasching, is a cultural phenomenon in Germany that takes very different forms depending on the region. Carnival has a long tradition, especially in Catholic-dominated areas such as the Rhineland. From the humorous costumes to the exuberant celebrations to the famous carnival parades, the carnival reflects a mixture of centuries-old customs. Carnival has only become popular in Protestant regions in the last few decades.

The Rhenish carnival strongholds, which include Bonn, are characterized by creative costumes, themed floats and a variety of sweets thrown during the parades. The Cologne Rose Monday procession with its 8 kilometers and around 10,000 active participants remains a special highlight that attracts up to 1 million spectators. The carnival traditionally ends on the night of Ash Wednesday before preparations for the next year begin.

Overall, this year's event at the University of Bonn showcases the vitality and creativity of Carnival while strengthening the connection between custom and education. The anticipation for the further events of the carnival season is already noticeable and promises to bring joy and color to the city in the coming days.

University of Bonn reports that...

bonn.fm announces further details about the events.

Alumni portal Germany offers comprehensive insights into carnival in Germany.