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Year-Round Carnival Activities Thrive in Saxony-Anhalt
The traditional carnival season in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is not the only time when festivities and cultural performances abound. The region's carnivalists remain active year-round, offering a diverse range of events, workshops, and programs for various age groups.
Dirk Vater, president of the Saxony-Anhalt Carnival State Association, recently spoke with the German Press Agency, revealing that carnival-related activities beyond the usual November 11th to Ash Wednesday period include dance sports competitions, state championships in men's ballet, and carnivalistic championships in dance sports. In early June, a trainer training event is also scheduled.
Throughout the year, carnival clubs participated in numerous summer festivals held in collaboration with local fairs. Club members are also available for booking for show dances at private events. "We aim to expand the children's dance workshop, as carnival clubs often serve as the primary cultural carriers in rural areas," Vater stated.
A unique offering from the Saxony-Anhalt state association is the "Carnival Makes Holidays" children's holiday camp. Scheduled for June 29th to July 5th, 2025, at a youth hostel in Nebra, the camp promises a week of circus-themed activities tailored to 56 children, with places typically limited to 45 but expanded to accommodate all registered participants for the 15th anniversary.
A youth camp, catering to older participants, is also planned for the end of August. The long weekend event includes canoeing, hiking, and a disco. This tradition has been carried on for six years.
Workshop training sessions form another crucial element of the Saxony-Anhalt carnivalists' calendar. These include carnival speech, singing, and club workshops. With an average of 25 carnival speakers attending each year, these workshops aim to enhance their performance and speaking abilities. Last year, Leipzig-based cabaret artists led the training sessions. Around 45 singers also got together annually for further vocal training.
Vater, who has been president for 14 years and was recently re-elected, emphasized the association's commitment to providing services to clubs. One such service is conducting digital media and tax law workshops, ensuring carnivalists receive essential information to better organize their events. Currently, 185 clubs are affiliated with the state association.
The diverse range of year-round events, workshops, and camps illustrates the Saxony-Anhalt carnivalists' dedication to fostering carnival traditions and culture throughout the year, creating an immersive carnival experience that is not confined to a single season. Although no direct links were found about these expanded activities during the research, their existence aligns with the common approach taken by carnival organizations in the region to keep traditional carnival culture alive and thriving.
- The Saxony-Anhalt Carnival State Association not only offers vocational training for carnival speakers and singers, but also conducts digital media and tax law workshops for the better organization of carnival events, as part of their community policy towards supporting affiliated clubs.
- In addition to the traditional carnival season, the Saxony-Anhalt region hosts various lifestyle events throughout the year, such as a home-and-garden themed children's holiday camp, where vocational training in circus skills is provided, promoting a unique blend of carnival culture and vacation experiences.
