Maastricht Carnaval - VVV Maastricht

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Discover Carnival in Maastricht
From Sunday 19 February to Tuesday 21 February 2012,
Maastricht, the Carnival capital of the Netherlands, will
once again be the centre of vibrant and colourful street
celebrations. For three days, the “Prince of Fools” – also
known as Prince Carnival – and his entourage will lead
the city and the celebrations in accordance with their
own crazy protocol, as people come from far and near
to celebrate Carnival. Starting on the 11th day of the 11th
month, the Carnival itch begins to spread like wildfire as
increasing numbers of people start to prepare costumes,
materials and floats for the grand Carnival parade (the
“Boonte Störrem” in the local dialect). Follow this
Carnival route on foot to discover the most colourful
Carnival highlights in Maastricht!
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Although it’s a matter of course for the city’s residents,
visitors should realise that most businesses and
institutions do not have normal opening hours during
Carnival. Many museums, cultural centres and shops
will be closed. For more info: www.vvvmaastricht.eu and
www.tempeleers.nl
locations 6 stages on Carnival Monday
- - - grand Carnival parade route on Carnival Sunday

Carnival in Maastricht
During the weeks and months leading up to
Carnival, people from all walks of life put a
great deal of creative energy and passion into
making costumes (“pekskes”) and designing
their face paint. As Carnival in Maastricht, in
accordance with Rhineland tradition, is mostly
celebrated outdoors, the city is also completely
decorated in the three official Carnival colours
– red, yellow and green. And at practically
every street corner, you’ll find a brass band
livening up the local atmosphere with music.
A Carnival lexicon
The 11th of the 11th ›› The day on which the
Carnival season is officially opened with a
great deal of ceremony.
Prince Carnival ›› The “Prince of Fools”.
Prince Carnival of Maastricht is secretly chosen
by a trio, who are members of the Protocol
Committee (“Kanzelarij raod”) of the Tempeleers
Carnival Association. It’s only during the
public appointment ceremony that the new
Prince is officially appointed and revealed to
everyone on the Markt (central market square).
Handing over of the key ›› On the Saturday
before Carnival at 3:11 PM, the mayor hands
over the key of the city to the Prince, symbolising
the transfer of power to the Prince for
three days.
Brass bands (“Zate Hermeniekes”) ›› These
bands provide music for the celebrations.
Carnival in Maastricht largely takes place outdoors,
which is where most of the brass bands
can also be found.
Grand Carnival Parade (“Boonte Störrem”)
›› The city’s Tempeleers Carnival Association
organises the grand Carnival parade on the
Sunday, consisting of a fantastic collection of
floats (often theme-based), brass bands and
Carnival groups and associations.
Alaaf ›› The traditional Carnival greeting.
Carnival festivities
Carnival Sunday: At 10:33 AM, the Prince’s
Guard (the “Kachelpiepers”) presents itself
in front of the residence of Prince Carnival
(the Princely Palace) and the princely flag is
then raised. At 12:11 AM, Carnival is officially
launched when 11 shots are fired by the “Momus
cannon” and the “Mooswief” is raised on
a high pole on Vrijthof Square. This is followed
by the start of the grand Carnival parade at
1:33 PM through the city centre of Maastricht.
Carnival Monday: Family day in the streets of
Maastricht. Throughout the city there are six
stages with various performances. See map for
locations. Starting at 2:11 PM in Wyck.
Carnival Tuesday: At 2:11 PM, the “Zate Hermeniekesconcours”
(brass bands competition)
bursts loose at Vrijthof Square. Finally, at 11:55
PM, the “Mooswief” is lowered down from
the high pole on Vrijthof Square and Carnival
comes to an end.
Locations
1 Central Station
Here, at 1:11 PM on the Saturday before Carnival,
Prince Carnival is given a festive welcome,
after which the Prince leads a parade
from the station to the Markt for the Key
handover ceremony. Each day, the Central
Station also serves as the starting point for
a great many Carnival participants on their
colourful way to the city centre. For an
updated public transport schedule during
Carnival, go to www.9292ov.nl.
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Markt/City Hall
On the Saturday before Carnival, the handing
over of the key ceremony traditionally
takes place in the historic City Hall
building. ATTENTION: this ceremony is
accessible by invitation only. In addition,
every Carnival evening at 8:33 PM, the
Cramignon dance starts from the Markt,
and everyone is welcome to accompany the
brass band and experience the ultimate
Carnival sensation in the streets of Maastricht.
‘t Mooswief
This monument on the Markt, symbolising
a typical Maastricht market woman,
has been the patroness of the Maastricht
Carnival since it was first unveiled in 1953
by Prince Carnival Sjaak the First of the
Tempeleers Association. Over the years, a
giant doll was fashioned as a replica of this
monument and on Carnival Sunday, after
the 11 cannon shots, it is raised on the high
pole on Vrijthof Square. At 11:55 PM on
Carnival Tuesday, the Mooswief is lowered
down from the high pole, accompanied by
many a tear from the locals, as it signifies
the end of Carnival.
4 Vrijthof
Vrijthof Square is the beating heart of
Maastricht during Carnival. Besides the
passage of the grand Carnival parade, the
kaleidoscope of festive sights and sounds,
and the multitude of crowded café’s, a
variety of special Carnival festivities also
take place here. This is where Carnival is
officially opened on Sunday by shots from
the “Momus cannon” and by raising the
“Mooswief” on the high pole. It is also
where Carnival ends when the Mooswief
is lowered down at 11:55 PM on Carnival
Tuesday. On Carnival Tuesday, the “Zate
Hermeniekesconcours” (brass bands competition)
also takes place here.
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Momus & De Tempeleers
The present-day celebration of Carnival in
Maastricht was initiated when the “Momus”
Association was established in 1839,
and the “Momus” was given the responsibility
of ensuring that the celebrations
acquired a more organised character. After
World War II, the Tempeleers Carnival
Association took over this responsibility
from Momus. The Tempeleers still give the
starting shot for Carnival each year with
the Momus cannon. Café De Momus has
been doing business as a regular café for
years now and no longer serves as “the Carnival
Temple” of Maastricht, but there are
still many signs to be found of its former
glory! The roof is adorned by a jester and
the number 11 – a reference to the number
of members of the Momus Association –
plays an important role. The balcony, for
example, has 2x11 columns and there are
several other examples of the number 11 in
the building. Can you find them
Café In den Ouden Vogelstruys
Reputed to be the oldest café (1474) in
Maastricht and also referred to as “the living
room of Maastricht”, this café is a must
for everyone who wishes to experience the
spirit of Maastricht and enjoy an authentic
cup of Limburg coffee (coffee with a shot of
local “Elske” liqueur). During Carnival, the
café is decorated with beautiful portraits
of various former Carnival princes and,
of course, a portrait of the new Prince
Carnival. Discover also the 64 m e collage
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focusing on Carnival in Maastricht with a
whole conga line of well-known persons
and colourful events made by Jack Vreeke.
Mestreechter Geis
The Maastricht mentality is characterised
by charm, playfulness, a zest for life and
a sense of humour that puts everything
into perspective, in short the spirit of
Maastricht (“Mestreechter Geis” in the
local dialect). This is also what the artist
Mari Andriessen must have had in mind
when he designed the bronze figure of the
same name that graces the small square
next to the Stokstraat. This jaunty figure
has conquered the hearts of many of the
city’s residents. Experience Carnival in
Maastricht, and experience the spirit of
Maastricht for yourself.
Café In de Karkol
Anyone wishing to experience Carnival
in Maastricht in all its facets in a short
period of time should definitely visit the
Carnival Café In de Karkol (voted #6 in the
Café top 100 of 2012 in the Netherlands).
Traditionally, during an evening in the
run-up to Carnival, a parody is enacted
here focusing on the selection of the
prince, the handing over of the key, the
Carnival celebration and the traditional
final herring snack.
If you haven’t yet designed or adapted your
own costume to the needs of the Carnival season,
you can visit any one of the many Carnival
shops in Maastricht.
Where is Carnival celebrated
Stationsstraat/Wyck: For many, this is the
“gateway to the Carnival celebrations in Maastricht”
lined by many great café’s. Stokstraat
district: Besides Café In de Karkol pay a visit
to Grand Café In de Moriaan (smallest café in
the Netherlands). Jeker district: has its own
special atmosphere and includes the Koestraat
and Sint Pieterstraat with Carnival cafés spilling
over into the street.
De Tongersestraat: the perfect place to kick
off an intense Carnival day with a hearty
breakfast in one of the local cafés such as Café
de Tribunal. Bredestraat: a favourite spot for
people celebrating Carnival, especially students.
Onze Lieve Vrouweplein: Considered
by many to be the most beautiful square in
Maastricht, this square is a magnet for many
Carnival goers. Bacon and eggs is traditionally
served as breakfast on Carnival mornings, and
the many cafés around the square are filled
with the electric ambience of Carnival. In
the chapel of the Onze Lieve Vrouwebasiliek
(Basilica of Our Lady), you can also light a
candle during Carnival. During Carnival, the
narrow Wolfstraat is filled with an amazingly
colourful and surging mass of humanity, and
once you get into a café such as Sjinkerij De
Bòbbel (voted #1 in the Café top 100 of 2012
in the Netherlands), you may find it a bit
more difficult to get out. At Café Au Mouton
Blanc, you can enjoy authentic Maastricht/
Carnival music, often in live performances.
Then follow a Carnival route leading from
Achter het Vleeshuis to Amorsplein and
Platielstraat in one long rush of Carnival
madness and swinging cafés. And of course,
regardless of how jammed the streets are, the
local brass bands always manage to make their
way through the crowds towards the Vrijthof.
‘t Vrijthof: This famous square is the focal
point of Carnival and is lined by some of the
best-known Carnival cafés such as Café In
den Ouden Vogelstruys and Café De Momus.
Markt: The multitude of cafés surrounding
this central market square are full of life
and excitement during Carnival; here you
can also admire the “Mooswief” monument.
Boschstraat: filled with attractive Carnival
spots offering drinks and snacks. Kesselskade:
This street across from the river promenade
has lots of cafés and is a great place to
be, especially on Carnival Sunday and Monday
when the parades pass by.