What is Fasching or Karneval? Fasching is celebrated just before the fasting season of Lent, which is when many people forsake food as a sacrifice for religious reasons. It is the time to indulge, celebrate, and embrace all that is good before things are out of bounds during Lent.

The masks and costumes of today date back to medieval times when they were not in place as fun decorations, but as ways to avoid punishment and persecution. Carnival goers would mock the strict rulers of the day and had they not used masks to disguise themselves, they would have been caught and put to death. Since the current government is made fun of during the carnival period, a prince and princess are appointed to rule over fools during Fasching!