Every year, just before Lent, the streets of Weil am Rhein in southern Germany are transformed. Fasnacht, the region’s version of Carnival, is not simply a festival—it’s a ritual, a celebration, and a collective release of energy shaped by centuries of tradition. In 2025, I had the chance to document it up close.
For days, I followed the masked figures, the pounding rhythms of drums, the rattling cowbells, and the vibrant chaos that spilled through the streets. What stood out was not just the color or the spectacle, but the depth of meaning behind each costume, mask, and gesture. These were not random disguises—they were ancestral symbols, often handmade, passed down through generations, connecting participants to a long cultural lineage.
Children, elders, families, and entire guilds moved in rhythm, enacting a time-honored rebellion against order, winter, and silence. The absurdity and noise, the laughter and fire, all served as a reminder that in this part of the world, tradition is alive and loud.
As a photographer, I wasn’t just capturing moments—I was immersing myself in them. Every Fasnacht challenged me to find structure in movement, personality behind wooden masks, and emotion inside a parade. Documenting it required patience, empathy, and a sensitivity to the fine line between observer and participant.
This photo series is a tribute to that energy—to the people of Weil am Rhein who keep these traditions burning, and to the timeless urge to dress up, let go, and remember who we are beneath the surface.
