Celebrating the German Fasching in the Filipino Community

There is a beautiful tradition in Germany in winter and before Lent to celebrate Fasching. After the Sinulog festivities in January, the Filipino Catholic Community in Frankfurt celebrated Fasching. Among the highlights of the program were the fun games and the colorful costumes of children and parents. The young professionals in the community also joined the party. It was an evening of laughter, joy and merriment before the Lenten observance of prayer, fasting and reflection.

The word Fasching is derived from the Germanic word Fastenschank which translates as the eve of the beginning of Lent. In the past the 40-day Lenten period of fasting was strictly observed. People refrained from drinking alcohol or eating meat, milk products and eggs. The English word “fast” (to refrain from eating) is related to German fasten. Fasching is also the German version of carnival. Carnival is rooted in Catholic religious tradition and marks the time of merriment before the solemn observance of Lent. It is celebrated with colorful costumes, masks, music, and parade floats.

The carnival season officially begins on 11 November at 11:11 am, symbolizing the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. However, the celebrations reach their culmination in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.