Editing Carnival (section)

=====Germany=====
The earliest written record of Carnival in [[Germany]] was in 1296 in [[History of Speyer|Speyer]].<ref>''Geschichte der Stadt Speyer''. Band 1, [[Kohlhammer Verlag]], Stuttgart 1982, {{ISBN|3-17-007522-5}}</ref> The first worldwide Carnival parade took place in [[Cologne]] in 1823.<ref name="Cologne1823" /> The most active Carnival week begins on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, with parades during the weekend, and finishes the night before Ash Wednesday, with the main festivities occurring around ''Rosenmontag'' (Rose Monday). This time is also called the "Fifth Season". Shrove Tuesday, called ''Fastnacht'' or ''Veilchendienstag'', is celebrated in some cities.

Parties feature self-made and more fanciful costumes and occasional masks. The parties become more exuberant as the weeks progress and peak after New Year, in January and February. The final Tuesday features all-night parties, dancing, hugging, and smooching. Some parties are for all, some for women only and some for children. ''Fasnachtsküchle'' (similar to ''Kreppel'' or donuts) are the traditional Fasching food and are baked or fried.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

In Germany, ''Rheinischer Karnival'' and ''Schwäbische Fastnacht'' are distinct; first is less formal and more political, second is much more traditional.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}