custom ad
NewsFebruary 19, 2020

MAINZ, Germany -- The heads and bodies are gigantic, the subjects are world leaders, and the creations are irresistible to look at. All of these oversized figures are coming together for a provocative parade at the traditional Mainz carnival celebrations in western Germany...

Associated Press
A man takes a picture of a satiric carnival float depicting US President Donald Trump as horror clown Pennywise during a preview in a hall in Cologne, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. The traditional carnival parades on Rosemonday make fun of politics and are watched by hundreds of thousands in the streets of Cologne, Duesseldorf and Mainz. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
A man takes a picture of a satiric carnival float depicting US President Donald Trump as horror clown Pennywise during a preview in a hall in Cologne, Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. The traditional carnival parades on Rosemonday make fun of politics and are watched by hundreds of thousands in the streets of Cologne, Duesseldorf and Mainz. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

MAINZ, Germany -- The heads and bodies are gigantic, the subjects are world leaders, and the creations are irresistible to look at.

All of these oversized figures are coming together for a provocative parade at the traditional Mainz carnival celebrations in western Germany.

They included a victorious British Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a grim looking Queen Elizabeth II standing behind him; a bare-chested Russian President Vladimir Putin holding a remote control to steer Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan atop a tank; and a triumphant U.S. President Donald Trump playing the harp like Roman Emperor Nero.

Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

The Mainzer Carnival Association presented the colorful figures for a first glimpse Tuesday before they will entertain the crowds on top of floats next week in the traditional Shrove Monday street parade.

Mainz, Cologne and Duesseldorf, Germany's three big cities along the Rhine River, are all famous for their politically provocative floats. During Carnival, dubbed the "fifth season of the year" before the start of Christian season of Lent, the common people are traditionally allowed to make fun of those in power.

The famous Carnival street parades, which travel for kilometers (miles) through the cities, will include not only the floats, but also dozens of brass bands, dancing groups and "Carnivalists" who throw tons of candy to revelers in the streets.

Advertisement

Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:

For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.

Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!