Carnival at a distance: can it work?

11.11. at 11:11 am the starting shot for the crazy session will sound like every year. But celebrate, sing and dance together in a small space? Currently unthinkable. However, many carnival fans do not want to be completely deprived of the fifth season.

Including Bernd Kleinschnitz. The man from Greuenheim has been active in Carnival since he was a child and is now well-known beyond the community for his crazy hobby. For eleven years, the trained industrial foreman was the meeting president of the FaschingsFreunde Greuenheim. Kleinschnitz has already performed as a bedspeaker at large events such as the “Northern Wine Tasting”. As a co-founder of the “A bissle was geht immer” alliance, the 53-year-old is working with carnival clubs from all over Main Franconia to ensure that the fifth season does not have to be canceled this time either. In an interview, Kleinschnitz explains the ideas behind it.

Question: How do you spend November 11th this year?

Bernd Kleinschnitz: I’ll be mentally at the start of the carnival season at 11.11 a.m., but – like most – I’m at work. Here in Greuenheim there won’t be a big event this time. Other associations, for example, make the town hall tower on a very small scale and post a video of it online.

How was it for you when it became clear that Carnival cannot take place as usual because of Corona?

Small carving: It took a long time for everyone to realize that. At first, I did not expect the corona pandemic to drag on. Then came the information from politics that Carnival was also in the balance. That was terrifying. Some then said right away: ‘Then we won’t do anything. Is just the way.’

You’re not one of them. Why do you think it is so important that Mardi Gras does not take place completely?

Small carving: In my opinion, it would not be right to put carnival and customs completely aside. Many others see it that way too. That is why the action group A bissle was always set up with those responsible from various associations. And we thought together how we could spread the humor and joy of Carnival without taking any risks. A total of 36 clubs are now taking part. Not only from the Wrzburg district, but also from the Main-Spessart, Bad Kissingen, Kitzingen and Schweinfurt districts. Our goal is to be creative and still make a little carnival possible with special formats.

What could that look like?

Small carving: Some clubs want to organize digital appearances. Another idea is the “Btt on Tour”. This could, for example, mean that a small group can be booked for home. The performance then takes place in the yard, in the garden or, if necessary, on the street, where gossips, jokes and invented truths are told. In Greuenheim, the five of us will go through this with a mask and a distance, of course. If people can’t come to Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras will come to the people. We coupled the idea of ​​”A little something is always possible” with a fundraising campaign. All proceeds go to the “heart’s desire ambulance” of the Maltese, who make a wish come true for seriously ill or dying people.

In January you performed at the “Northern Wine Tasting”. Does it make a difference to you whether you are on a big stage or in front of just a few people?

Small carving: The Btt speaker lives from the audience, that is the alpha and omega. Only with a good audience can he bring a good Btt. This often only develops in contact with the audience. This time it’s more difficult than usual. Of course I would have liked to have 500 people in the hall, but I still prefer an audience of five or ten people than doing nothing. So we can at least make a small group happy and keep Carnival alive even in this difficult time.

As a beggar speaker, you are relatively flexible. Is there an opportunity for all those involved in Carnival to perform despite Corona?

Small carving: It becomes difficult for dance groups. The concept of “Btt on Tour” does not work here because too many people are involved and it would be difficult to implement outdoors. Some clubs therefore want to film the performance and then put it online, but currently that would not even be possible. The FaschingsFreunde Greuenheim and many other associations have decided to award a session medal to the actors again this year. We want to show our appreciation and motivate for the next few years. Because despite the difficult conditions, many groups had forged plans, started training and unfortunately ended up with nothing.

How are the preparations for “A bissle was always going”?

Small carving: Six people from the action group took care of the organizational issues. We have designed banners and around 2000 pins that are badges for the lapel with our own logo have been distributed to the people. It really starts on November 11th. at 11.11 a.m. Then we put our video for the “A bissle was always going” campaign online on our social media channels. We officially present our ideas there. We are very excited to see how this will be received and hope for a lot of support.

–