- Title: REFILE: Bavarian carnival turns Munich market square into jolly affair
- Date: 17th February 2026
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (German) ATTENDEE, STEFANIE MALER, SAYING: "Why? Because the people are simply brilliant, it's just a lovely atmosphere here, the good vibe we have here, it's just great." (SOUNDBITE) (German) ATTENDEE, ANDREA MAIER, SAYING: "The real carnival is in Munich. Why? Because everyone in Bavaria is in a good mood and they don't need carnival, they're always in a good
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: carnival dance market square sway vendors
- Location: MUNICH, GERMANY
- City: MUNICH, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe
- Reuters ID: LVA001611017022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of joyful people gathered on Tuesday (February 17) at Munich's Viktualienmarkt square to attend the traditional dance performance of the “market women,” fruit and vegetable vendors.
With music and a street party which is expected to continue until late at night, Munich locals and visitors traditionally celebrate the last day of carnival.
“It's just a lovely atmosphere here”, one attendee told Reuters while another insisted the "real" carnival was in Munich.
For decades, this dance ritual has been an integral part of Munich's carnival programme. According to the city's website, market women began dancing between the stalls during carnival season more than 100 years ago.
In the 1950s and 60s, the musically accompanied revelry was still an insider tip. It was later moved to a stage, and the performances became more professional.
While carnival is celebrated in many parts of southern Germany, where it goes by the name of “Fasching”, Germany’s largest carnival festivities happen in the Rhine region in cities such as Cologne, Duesseldorf and Mainz.
(Production: Ayhan Uyanik, Louisa Off, Lena Toepler) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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