For the first time since the 1930s, Jewish fans of the Cologne Carnival can join their very own club — the "Kölsche Kippa Köpp," or KKK.

A local Jewish group officially unveiled the Kölsche Kippa Köpp (Cologne Yarmulke Heads) association on Monday, in a bid to revive a tradition destroyed by the Nazi regime.

"Cologne Jews have always been a part of the multifaceted Carnival life, but they have not been visible for a long time," club president Aaron Knappstein said.

Read more: 11 crazy Carnival events held between November 11 and Lent

Not that KKK

The club's founders said they chose the name as a nod to a pre-war club that also had the initials KKK.

In the early 1920s, a Jewish textile trader and Carnival fan, Max Solomon, started a bowling association that eventually called itself the "Kleiner Kölner Klub" (Small Cologne Club).

The club became popular among the city's Jewish revelers. Members staged masked balls and took part in costume festivals, according to the city's daily newspaper, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

But the club fell apart after the Nazis came to power in 1933. Many club members were murdered and others were forced to flee the country.

"We are very much aware of the traditions of the previous KKK, but we are also happy to start new traditions," Knappstein was quoted as saying by the DPA news agency.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' The significance of all those elevens Since the Middle Ages, the number eleven has represented excess and sin. A number like this with repeated digits is known as a Schnapszahl (schnapps number) in German. The term's origins seem to be linked either with seeing double when drunk or with drinking games. And revelers will certainly be boozing it up in the coming weeks, until it's all over on Ash Wednesday.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' The Hoppeditz awakens This jester-like figure is typical of Düsseldorf. At 11:11 a.m. on the dot, the Hoppeditz climbs out of a mustard pot in front of the town hall and heralds the start of the fifth season. Afterwards, people adjourn to the pubs in the old town, where they celebrate the new carnival session by singing, dancing and drinking.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' The Cologne triumvirate In most of the carnival strongholds, a royal couple reigns over the festivities. In Cologne, it's a trio, consisting of a maiden, a prince and a farmer. Nobody seems to mind that this trio consists entirely of men. With three shouts of "Alaaf," the magnificently costumed triumvirate are celebrated by their willing subjects.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Swollen heads in Mainz The Mainz carnival season opens with cries of "Helau." The typical giant papier-mâché heads called "Schwellköppe", or "swollen heads", are always part of the big procession. Everyone heads to the Carnival Fountain where the fools' constitution is read out. Article 4 declares that "every fool who is also foolish when sober is to be praised."

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Carnival in Cottbus Rumor has it that carnival is celebrated only in western Germany. The eastern German city of Cottbus proves that's not the case. On 11/11, the dancers known as Funkenmariechen kick up their heels and the mayor hands over the key to the city.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Carnival stage shows After the raucous beginning of the carnival season on 11/11, things quiet down during Advent. But in the new year, the revellers turn up the volume again: the carnival societies invite people to their big stage shows and balls. More or less humorous speeches are delivered, revellers sway to the music, sing and laugh.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Weiberfastnacht On Weiberfastnacht, Old Wives' Day, carnival really gets into gear: on the Thursday before Shrove Monday — of course at 11:11 a.m. — women storm the town halls. The street carnival takes off. Now revellers party on the streets and squares. The six "crazy days" begin.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Smooching Of course, men can also party along on Weiberfastnacht, but they should watch out: traditionally women chop off their neckties. Still, at least they get a Bützchen, or little kiss, in exchange, as a sign that it's all in good fun.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Rose Monday The parades on Rose Monday, or Shrove Monday, are the highlight of the carnival season, especially in the Rhineland cities. Thousands of onlookers line the streets when the themed floats go past and the revellers on them throw flowers and sweets to the crowds.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet The hand-carved masks are already an unmistakable sign that carnival in southwestern Germany differs from that on the Rhine. The large processions on Shrove Monday and Tuesday are called Narrensprünge — literally "fools' jump." Participants hop and jump through the streets. Rottweil's Narrensprung is famous.

11 facts about Germany's 'fifth season' Ash Wednesday The Hoppeditz opens the carnival season in Düsseldorf and also ends it. Traditionally the roguish figure is burned in effigy or buried in a coffin on Ash Wednesday amid weeping and wailing. It's coupled with the hope that the Hoppeditz will rise again and usher in the "fifth season" the next time November 11th rolls around. Author: Kerstin Schmidt (ms)



Avoiding confusion

The initials KKK were made infamous throughout the world by the Ku Klux Klan, a racist and anti-Semitic group based in the United States.

The club said they were aware of the negative association and would try to avoid displaying the initials, for example by not printing them on the club's medal.

The Carnival season in northwestern Germany starts on November 11 and culminates in the run up to Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on March 6.

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