Cottbus' foolish takeover: Prince couple conquers town hall!

Cottbus' foolish takeover: Prince couple conquers town hall!

In Cottbus/Chóśebuz, the “fifth season” will be ushered in today, November 11th, 2025, with the traditional storming of the town hall. At exactly 11:11 a.m., Mayor Tobias Schick symbolically hands over the town hall key to the new city prince couple, Sebastian I and Sonnika I. The festive act, which was accompanied by several hundred celebrants with a lot of joy and commitment despite the occasional rain, is an integral part of the carnival traditions in Cottbus.

The event began with a cannon shot, followed by joyful singing and dancing. Six carnival clubs took part in the colorful hustle and bustle, which underlines the diversity and liveliness of the festival. Tobias Schick promised his support for the upcoming carnival activities and presented the tasks of the new prince couple, which should now ensure an unforgettable carnival time.

Creative solutions in the city

There was a very special surprise not only on the festival stage. After the ceremonial handover of the keys, the town hall leadership looked at two “holey streets” in Cottbus and repaired them with special puzzle pieces. These parts form the outline of Germany and the city of Cottbus/Chóśebuz and symbolize the connection of the citizens to their homeland. It shows once again that social messages and commitment to the city are at the forefront even during festive times.

Carnival celebrations are diverse in Germany. This custom, known as Carnival, Fastelovend, Fasenacht or Mardi Gras, is celebrated very differently in different regions. However, history and tradition are embedded in every form of these celebrations, which date back to ancient times and are firmly interwoven with the customs in German cities. Many people dress up in fanciful costumes, sing songs and perform strange rituals to drive away winter and prepare for the upcoming Lent. These traditions make Carnival a colorful time in which happiness and community are the focus, which is also evident in Carnival strongholds such as Cologne, Bonn and Mainz.

Prospects for the carnival year

The next big event for the city of Cottbus has also already been decided: the big carnival parade is expected to take place on February 8th, 2026. The anticipation for this event is already palpable, because a parade with festively decorated floats and thousands of participants is a highlight that cannot be missed in the city. The costumes and the exuberant celebrations of the people transform the streets into a colorful hustle and bustle.

Today the carnival season has officially begun, and the citizens of Cottbus/Chóśebuz are cordially invited to take part in the festivities and experience the traditions of the carnival. During the coming months we can look forward to many shared experiences and a carefree time. Cottbus.de reports that… and the circumstances of the festival create a special atmosphere.

Whether as part of the event or simply as an enthusiastic spectator, everyone is invited to share the joy and community that Carnival brings.

The roots of carnival and the different regional manifestations offer a timeless reason for joy, as well as a rich cultural treasure to be discovered. Offers further insights into the diversity of carnival celebrations in Germany and their customs Alumni portal Germany, which provides information about the different traditions. Also the artistic implementation, as in "Carnival" is discussed shows how these customs bring people together and strengthen a sense of community.