ABSTRACT
Since the Middle Ages festivals had been an intrinsic part of life throughout Germany. Simple parish fairs, elaborate carnival celebrations and national celebrations all offer a valuable insight into many aspects of community life. Indeed, festivals are born from the very day-to-day life from which they offer a temporary escape. Communal celebrations can be regarded as a microcosm of the culture of a community, albeit with its features somewhat exaggerated. Attitudes towards religion, the family, marriage, sexuality, work and the social hierarchy are all highlighted at festivals. These celebrations are thus not only excellent indicators of local and regional trends but also mirrors of broader social, economic and political changes. While festivals are unique experiences for the participants, they are nonetheless rooted in the culture of the community in which they are celebrated.
