Karneval and Chaos

It's "organized fun" until it isn't. Last week, right before my kids and I were taken down by a particularly rude stomach bug, we attended a four-year-old's birthday party for one of our friends at a rec hall. Coincidental events? Unlikely. For those who really know me, this is not my idea of a relaxing mid-day activity. Not because I’m anti-party. But because of the chaos. It was the kind of “organized fun” that makes you understand why there's a German word for everything, including chaos that’s technically organized. If you squinted, it was basically a Karneval rehearsal… minus the marching bands, the costumes, and the restorative powers of Kölsch. As it was, even the structured games felt like watching a well-meaning adult attempt to negotiate with a small, sticky, highly emotional herd of cats. Instructions were given. Instructions were ignored. Someone was always crying. No one knew why. And yet… it was fun. Or so I've been reminded. The children certainly seemed convinced. The adults looked like they'd survived Costco on Black Friday. Which got me thinking about a very different kind of chaos. The kind I can actually get behind. I’ve always thought of Cologne as a master of structured mayhem. Even outside of Karneval season, the city has a certain buzz to it. Beer halls feel like they're half a Kölsch away from turning into a full-scale celebration. The one that I ducked into on a hot July afternoon was, by all accounts, mildly subdued. And still, it felt louder, livelier, and more animated than most places on their best day. That’s Cologne. And then there’s Karneval. If you’ve ever wondered how an entire city collectively agrees to suspend normal life, dress like pirates and bananas, and party hard before willingly entering the quiet restraint of Lent, this is your answer. Karneval isn’t random chaos. It’s deeply planned, wildly traditional, and somehow still feels completely unhinged in the best possible way. I wrote a culture guide that breaks down Karneval in Cologne, why it exists, and how this “anything goes” atmosphere is surprisingly… organized. Read it here: Cologne Karneval for Beginners It’s chaos with glitter and noise surrounded by candy. A city letting off steam before voluntarily hitting the brakes on anything indulgent. And honestly? I respect that. I can fully appreciate both sides of the Köln coin: the wild release of Karneval, and the calmer, reflective stretch that follows. And after that kid's birthday party, Karneval sounds pretty tame. Herzliche Grüße, Eran Fulson

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Karneval and Chaos

It's "organized fun" until it isn't.

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