The so called 'Fifth Season' or Fuenfte Jahreszeit', Carnival in Germany, which also lasts five days, starts on the 16th February this year, and the German Culture article for this week is about a special celebration that takes place only in the the Rhineland area, around Cologne.

CARNIVAL IN COLOGNE, WOMEN'S THURSDAY

Carnival in Germany began in ancient times, when masked Teutons made as much noise as possible to chase away the evil spirits of winter. And in the Cologne area it now begins with 'Weiberfastnacht', where women take over the streets and no necktie is safe.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art175104.asp




Another quirky German word for you this week: Tatendrang.

Ever wake up one morning with the urge to do something 'at once'? Climb a mountain, write a novel or just cook up a storm?

Well in German that is known as 'Tatendrang', literally 'action urge'.




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If you have any comments or questions would love to hear them, either in the forum or via email.



Francine McKenna,
German Culture Editor

http://germanculture.bellaonline.com