Fotoeins Fotografie

Fotoeins Friday: pre-Lent Fasching in Partenkirchen

By HL fotoeins on 2 Feb 2018

“These ‘hell riders’ are about to race hard …”

Around 1pm, the bicycle race “Tour de Badakurch” begins, but it’s no ordinary race. To mark the annual Fasching festival here in the Loisach river valley, the Sunday bike race through Partenkirchen involves decorated bicycles and riders outfitted with ridiculous costumes. I’m certain some folks are judging this race, and I’m also certain the race isn’t for the fastest time. I’m fascinated by the wood-carved masks (Maschkera) and the variety of colourful costumes, but this ain’t no “trick or treat”. North America has Hallowe’en in October; but, in February, the Rhineland has Karneval, and here in southern Germany there’s Maschkera, Fasching, or Fastnacht (Fosnocht). With its pagan origins and rituals to drive “evil spirits” away from people and town, festivities take place before (Catholic) Lent.

•   “Na ja, dumm gelaufen!”: 3-minute video from BR24/ARD, 27 Feb. 2017. I’m somewhere in that crowd of spectators …

I made this photo on 26 February 2017 with the Canon 6D, 24-105 glass, and the following settings: 1/400-sec, f/14, ISO5000 (yikes), and 47mm focal length. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins.com as http://wp.me/p1BIdT-4HU.