This year’s carnival celebrations in Cologne, Germany, became a colourful display of cultures as Kurdish groups joined the traditional parade through the streets of Cologne, presenting traditional Kurdish dances and clothes from different regions of Kurdistan.
Kurdish groups presented their rich culture to the crowds with live music and performances of the traditional Kurdish “Govend” dance, while handing out sweets and flowers to the crowds. Their colourful traditional costumes and stirring melodies attracted the attention of the crowds.
A dancer from the Govendên Kurdistanê (Dances of Kurdistan) group, speaking to Medya News during the carnival parade, described this spring as a season of freedom and peace, referencing the historic call made by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February for peace and a democratic society. “This spring feels different—it carries the spirit of freedom and peace,” the dancer said, linking the atmosphere of the celebration to Öcalan’s message.
Hundreds of thousands of people came together this year to celebrate carnival in Cologne, which is considered one of the largest parades across Germany. The traditional festival has been celebrated throughout Germany for hundreds of years and takes its origins from pagan customs. An important part of the carnival festival is the principle of equality, as it was a time where everyone, whether masters or servants, women or men, were equal for a day, and food was shared among the people.
