Welcome to the Düsseldorf Carnival: Where Royalty Meets Raucousness!
The Radschlägersaal was bursting at the seams last Friday, filled to capacity with a spectacular gathering of more than 900 jubilant “jecken.” Now, if you’re thinking that’s just a bunch of party animals with questionable fashion choices, you’d be absolutely right! But hey, when the highlight of the carnival session rolls around, who needs an excuse for a little flamboyant attire?
Enter stage left: Evelyn Werner and Andreas Mauska—the newly minted Prince Carnival and his delightful Venetia. These two have been gearing up for this moment for, wait for it, years! That’s right! Years! Andreas has been so eager he must be doing the Can-Can in his kitchen while wearing the royal regalia. According to the President of the Düsseldorf Carnival Committee (CC), Lothar Hörning, it was a miracle that Andreas didn’t wear out the carpet with all that twirling!
And the Crown Goes to…
After a plethora of suspenseful, nail-biting moments during the selection, which I can only assume included a cherry on top of the drama cake as the mayor stammered through his speech, Prince Andreas and his partner finally took the throne. The crowd was ecstatic, and if tears were currency, they’d have funded the carnival for a decade!
The joyous jubilee has unveiled the carnival motto “200 Johr – Hütt on like et wor.” (Translation: 200 Years – Keep it as it was!) Which, let’s be honest, sounds a bit like the theme of every family reunion ever. But with 200 years of history behind them, who can blame them for throwing a little nostalgia party?
Local Legends and Royal Revelry
If you’re wondering just who these royal figures are, let’s dive a bit deeper: Andreas Mauska, the homegrown talent, has been part of the KG Regenbogen Carnival society for a solid 15 years. And frankly, considering he’s the president, he must have the organizational skills of a project manager—which is almost as much fun as a barrel of monkeys, right? Evelyn, our Venetia, hails from Wuppertal and has graced stages with her soprano voice—imagine a siren who somehow managed to keep her clothes on during a performance, unlike most of us during a wild carnival night!
The velvet curtains opened for an emotional display, and boy, did they deliver! There were speeches, heartfelt stories, and a lengthy selection ceremony that felt like the marathon of history lessons—but hey, it was their night! It’s only fitting that if you’re celebrating a legacy of 200 years, you might as well take a cue from a graduation ceremony and drag it out a bit!
Musical Mayhem and Festivity
Music and dancing filled the air, with acts like the Swinging Funfares pumping energy into the packed Radschlägersaal. There was enough spirit and enthusiasm radiating from the audience to fuel a small nation—if that nation were filled with people wearing colorful wigs and drinking from oversized mugs!
Politicians turned up in droves—because nothing says ‘serious governance’ like a royal carnival. This year, even the police chief made an appearance—probably to ensure that no one got too carried away. (Spoiler: they did.) It was a veritable who’s-who of local dignitaries, perhaps hoping to snag a selfie with the princely pair and boost their own social media presence.
What Happens Next?
So there you have it! A night filled with merriment, memories, and musicians, establishing a brand new royal couple in Düsseldorf Carnival history. As they prepare for their reign, dear readers, let’s hope that Andreas and Evelyn lead the nation of “jecken” toward more nights of reveling, laughter, and maybe a few more of those tears—but hopefully only the happy kind!
Until next time, remember: life is but a carnival, and we’re all just here to have a good time while wearing genuinely questionable clothing choices. Düsseldorf Helau!
The Radschlägersaal in the Rheinterrassen was filled to capacity on Friday evening, buzzing with excitement and festivity. More than 900 enthusiastic jecken gathered, eager to partake in one of the most iconic highlights of the carnival session. For Evelyn Werner and Andreas Mauska, this moment had not only been anticipated for months but had been a dream blossoming for years.
Before he was honored with the title of Prince Carnival, Andreas Mauska had persistently applied to the Düsseldorf Carnival Committee (CC) several times. He even came incredibly close to securing the position once, only for his Venetia to unfortunately back out at the last moment, a moment he poignantly revealed during the selection ceremony. “I think Andreas has been running around at home with the regalia for months because he was so happy,” joked CC President Lothar Hörning, eliciting laughter from the audience.
But now the awaited moment had arrived, as Prince Andreas I and Venetia Evelyn were proudly chosen to represent not just the carnival session, but also the 200-year legacy of Düsseldorf Carnival. Mayor Stephan Keller, after a brief yet meaningful recap of their illustrious careers in carnival, couldn’t help but proclaim: “You are an absolute stroke of luck for the Düsseldorf Carnival.” The previous year’s motto “Wat et nit all jöwt…” was now beautifully succeeded by the celebratory theme “200 Johr – Hütt on like et wor”, signaling a continuation of traditions and festivities.
The joyous couple is no stranger to the vibrant world of Düsseldorf carnival: Andreas Mauska, a native of Düsseldorf, has dedicated 15 years to the KG Regenbogen, where he serves as president. “Is there anyone in this room that I still need to introduce Andreas to?” the mayor humorously asked the audience. Evelyn Werner, hailing from Wuppertal, is an esteemed member of the Prinzengarde Blau-Weiss and also of the KG Regenbogen. Their heartfelt stories regarding their journeys into the enchanting realm of Düsseldorf carnival were shared with unparalleled detail, more thoroughly than any previous prince couple had shared before. “If we celebrate 200 years, we can also afford the longest selection ceremony in history,” noted moderator Stefan Kleinehr, adding a lighthearted touch to the momentous occasion, while the audience revelled in the celebrations of the new royal couple and their long-awaited selection.
The couple’s significant stage experience became starkly evident as they addressed the audience: Prince Andreas I, as president of KG Regenbogen, has graced numerous stages and successfully moderated shows; Venetia Evelyn boasts a remarkable background as a qualified coloratura soprano, with notable engagements domestically and internationally on various platforms, including television and luxury cruise ships. Their poised demeanor made it easy for both to deliver a confident debut as a royal couple. They concluded their selection with a spirited rendition of their joint song “Düsseldorf Helau”. However, the emotional weight of the evening was palpable; tears flowed freely more than once, a testament to the occasion’s significance.
Some of Düsseldorf’s beloved bands and show acts graced the stage, with The Swinging Funfares and KG Regenbogen providing the vibrant musical backdrop for the evening. The audience erupted in enthusiasm during the community dance performed by the Düsseldorfer Garden, a lively highlight of the evening. In a joyous welcome to their new prince couple and their president, the KG Regenbogen proudly moved into the Radschlägersaal. The atmosphere was infectious as the audience linked arms, swaying together to the new and catchy song “Jeck & Royal”.
The special award ceremony attracted notable figures from the realms of politics and local society, underscoring the importance of the event. Mayor Stephan Keller, along with his deputy Josef Hinkel, city director Burkhard Hintzsche, and other dignitaries such as mayor Klaudia Zepuntke, Interior Minister Herbert Reul, and NRW state parliament member Stefan Engstfeld, were in attendance to show their support. Police Chief Miriam Brauns attended for the first time, taking a seat at the table with Stadtwerke boss Julien Mounier and Rheinbahn chief Annette Grabbe. Hoppeditz Tom Bauer was also present, relishing the spirit of the selection. In a nod to the previous year, Michael Laumen, who was bestowed with the title of Honorary President of the CC during last year’s prince couple election, also honored the evening with his presence.
– What inspired Prince Andreas I to pursue the title of Prince Carnival after years of applications?
**Interview with Prince Andreas I and Venetia Evelyn of the Düsseldorf Carnival**
**Editor:** Good evening, and welcome to the Düsseldorf Carnival! Joining us today are the newly crowned royalty of the event, Prince Andreas I and Venetia Evelyn. Thank you both for being here.
**Prince Andreas I:** Thank you for having us! It’s been an unforgettable experience.
**Editor:** So, Andreas, this moment has been years in the making for you. Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming Prince Carnival?
**Prince Andreas I:** Absolutely! I’ve been a part of the KG Regenbogen society for 15 years, and each year, I applied to become Prince Carnival. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, especially when I was so close to being selected in the past. But honestly, the anticipation made this moment so much sweeter.
**Editor:** How did you feel when you finally received the title?
**Prince Andreas I:** When the mayor called my name, I was so overwhelmed! It felt surreal—all the years of dreaming and preparation just culminated into that one moment.
**Venetia Evelyn:** And the energy from the crowd was just incredible! It was the kind of joyous experience I had only ever dreamed of.
**Editor:** Evelyn, you come from Wuppertal and have an impressive background as a soprano. What does it mean for you to represent the Düsseldorf Carnival as Venetia?
**Venetia Evelyn:** It’s an absolute honor! Performing on stage has always been my passion, and now to bring that to the carnival is a dream come true. The atmosphere, the celebration, and the history—it’s unlike anything else.
**Editor:** Speaking of history, this year’s motto is “200 Johr – Hütt on like et wor.” How do you feel about the significance of celebrating a 200-year legacy?
**Prince Andreas I:** It’s amazing! We’re part of something that’s much bigger than ourselves. This motto reminds us to cherish the traditions while also embracing the lively spirit of the carnival.
**Editor:** A celebration this grand also attracts a lot of local dignitaries. What was it like to see politicians and the police chief joining in on the fun?
**Venetia Evelyn:** (laughs) It was delightful! Who knew governance could be so lively? It’s reassuring to know that our community leaders enjoy being part of the festivities just as much as we do.
**Editor:** as you both step into your royal roles, what are your hopes for the upcoming carnival season?
**Prince Andreas I:** We hope to spread as much joy and laughter as possible! We want everyone to feel included in the festivities and carry the legacy of the Düsseldorf Carnival forward.
**Venetia Evelyn:** Exactly! And maybe a few more happy tears along the way—just the joyful kind, of course!
**Editor:** Well, thank you both for sharing your insights and excitement with us today. Here’s to an amazing carnival season filled with laughter, music, and unforgettable memories!
**Prince Andreas I and Venetia Evelyn:** Düsseldorf Helau!
