neujahr 1 january, or the new year, is a public holiday in germany.

during the week before catholic lent, carnivalcalled fastnacht or faschingis celebrated in some regions, where people have fancy balls, parades, and other celebrations. in the rhineland region of western germany, the first of the five days of carnival is weiberfastnacht, or womens carnival. the tradition is said to have started in the town of beuel in the early 19th century, when the laundry women grew tired of watching their husbands celebrating carnival without themand, even worse, with the money they earned washing clothes. in protest the women themselves began to celebrate with song and dance. now this celebration is known for its carefree nature and often bizarre events.

the week before easter is known in germany as karwochestill week or silent weekand holy thursday is called green thursday. this comes from the tradition of giving a green...