Fulda Soldiers Bid Farewell to Carnival 2023 with Salute Guns

Pistol rounds and howitzer thunder announce the start of the "Foolish Days".

Carnival begins in the East Hessian city of Fulda with traditional gun salutes from the Bundeswehr.

Even before the city's prince was officially proclaimed in the Fulda town hall on Thursday evening, the 39th Fulda Carnival began in a very special way. At around 11:30 a.m., 105mm howitzers fired 21 shots from the infantry school sports field, announcing the start of the "foolish days".

Shortly afterwards, around 30 soldiers from the "Fulda" and "Bad Salzungen" artillery battalions fired off numerous pistol rounds. The Bundeswehr has been supporting the "Foolish Foals" carnival association in the East Hessian city for decades and thus accompanies the entire carnival campaign. For the first time, the ceremonial act was carried out under the leadership of the new commander of the battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Nico Reissmann. Prince Jonathan I. (Jonathan Fack) was of course enthusiastic: "It's an incredible honor for me and a very special moment. I was very impressed."

Mayor Heiko Wingenfeld was also delighted: "The gun salutes by the Bundeswehr have become an indispensable part of the Fulda carnival. They represent a strong connection between the military and the citizens." The fact that the traditional event could take place again this year after a two-year break due to the corona pandemic "fills the whole city with joy".

Carnival in Fulda will be celebrated until Tuesday (February 21), with the highlight being the large carnival parade on Sunday (February 19) from 12:11 p.m. For the first time, there will be a large tent at Universitätsplatz, where people can celebrate after the parade. The "Foolish Foals" expect around 200,000 visitors to the carnival events.