Year-Round Activities for Carnival Clubs in Saxony-Anhalt
Perpetual scheduling for clowns, not just festive seasons. - Year-round appointments for the misguided: A constant schedule of shenanigans, regardless of the carnival season.
Carnivalists in Saxony-Anhalt are not merely active during the traditional season between November 11th and Ash Wednesday. Dirk Vater, president of the Saxony-Anhalt Carnival State Association, emphasized that the association is busy year-round.
Beyond the pre-Lenten festivities, the association organizes dance sports, championships, and various events throughout the year. A significant highlight is the trainer training in early June, followed by summer parties and fairs where club members often participate.
Expanding their reach by cultivating the younger generation, carnival clubs serve as cultural carriers, particularly in rural areas, according to Vater. A children's holiday camp, "Carnival Makes Holidays," will take place from June 29th to July 5th, 2025, at a youth hostel in Nebra. In celebration of the 15th anniversary, the camp has expanded to accommodate all registered children. The circus-themed program offers a week of entertainment for 56 children.
In addition to the holiday camp, a three-day youth camp at the end of August is another special offering for young people. Activities include canoeing, hiking, and disco events.
Workshops and training sessions, such as puppet, singing, and club workshops, are also mainstays in the carnivalists' annual calendar. Typically, about 25 puppet speakers gather for training, while around 45 singers meet for further training every year.
Embracing digital advancements and addressing administrative needs, the club workshop focuses on new information in digital media and tax law. This workshop has proven popular among club members and has been organized annually in Gommern near Magdeburg.
Dirk Vater, who has been president for 14 years, was re-elected for another term in November 2024, and currently, 185 clubs are organized under the state association. The association sees itself as a service provider for clubs, fostering engagement and growth within its membership.
- The Saxony-Anhalt Carnival State Association, in addition to organizing year-round activities, also focuses on education and self-development, offering vocational training workshops for puppet speakers and singers.
- Beyond the carnival season, the association promotes personal growth and learning by providing opportunities for outdoor-living, such as canoeing and hiking, during their three-day youth camps.
- As part of their community policy and commitment to education-and-self-development, the carnival clubs also organize lifestyle events like the "Carnival Makes Holidays" children's holiday camp, focusing on entertainment and activities that promote home-and-garden and artistic skills.
