Storming of the town hall in Waldfischbach: fools are taking power!

On January 8, 2025, a spectacular transfer of power took place when the Waldfischbach carnival club stormed the town hall. Despite adverse weather conditions, a large group of fools, who also received support from Pirmasens, made their way to the town hall. Princess Emily I had already made preparations to persuade the local mayor Michael Oestreicher, who had barricaded himself in his office, to hand over power.

The fools used timpani, trumpets, firecrackers, rockets and smoke grenades, but sometimes had to struggle with ignition problems. With loud shouts, Emily I demanded that the keys be handed over with the Rhenish cry “Esche auf uff!”. Ultimately, Oestreicher gave in and handed over not only the key, but also the community treasury and power. However, the local mayor made it clear that he expected the cash register to be returned on Ash Wednesday, ideally with contents.

Carnival tradition

The first event under the reign of Emily I is the Pageant Session, which will take place on January 11th at 7:11 p.m. The local mayor needs to work there and contribute to the program as he has been left with an almost empty coffers. Emily I also placed further demands on her subjects, including serving drinks and supplying them with Lyoner and Maggi.

Another highlight of the carnival season in Waldfischbach is the women's meeting, which will take place on February 21st in the community center. Two days later, on February 23rd, the youngest children are invited to the children's masked ball. For adults, federal and district elections are on the agenda on February 23rd. The transfer of power by the fools by Ash Wednesday is a political tradition that is deeply rooted in Rhenish culture.

This year, the Waldfischbach carnival club is also presenting a political medal that addresses the re-election of Michael Oestreicher and his departure from the BWB. The order emphasizes that Oestreicher is popular and well-known even without a faction.

In Germany, carnival, Fasching and Fastnacht are significant traditions known as the “fifth season”. In 2014, the Rhenish carnival and the Swabian-Alemannic carnival were included in the list of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, as explained on the ÖDP website. These festivities are part of the Christian tradition and serve as a festive conclusion to the 40-day Lent, with different regional customs adding variety to the carnival.

A particularly important aspect of carnival is its political dimension. With humorous lectures and parodies on current events, the performances capture the pulse of the times and often act as an outlet in political tensions. The traditional role of fools is used not only for entertainment, but also for socially critical reflection.