Germany’s vibrant carnival celebrations have kicked off, with revellers taking aim at global leaders like Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Jeffrey Epstein through satirical floats. In Düsseldorf, sculptor Jacques Tilly’s creations have landed him in hot water, with a trial in absentia in Moscow for “spreading false information” about the Russian military. The floats feature Putin being hit over the head by a jester, Epstein as the devil, and Trump and Putin feasting on a woman marked “Europe”.
The carnival, a tradition of letting loose and poking fun at the powerful, has become a highlight of Germany’s theme, with floats targeting global figures and issues. The largest procession took place in Cologne, with 300,000 bouquets of flowers and 300 tonnes of sweets thrown from floats. Revellers like Frederik Held emphasize the importance of humour and satire, saying, “Carnival is bad music, plastered people and a good vibe”.
