Prince, maiden and farmer – that is the classic combination from the Rhenish carnival. There will also be a triumvirate in the Vechte community in the new session. In the interview, the prince, virgin and farmer answered questions about the new session.
What does it mean to you to rule as Prince of the KG Stadtwacht Metelen, and what message do you want to convey during your term of office?
Prinz: I could never have imagined ruling Metelen as part of the triumvirate of the KG Stadtwacht – especially not as a prince! Although I was always passionate about celebrating carnival, it was never on my agenda. I am all the more pleased to now be able to bring our community together in this role and keep the carnival spirit alive in our city. My message for the session is clear: Carnival is the time when we all let go of everyday life, approach each other and celebrate joy together. Let’s set an example for cohesion, fun and openness – because that is the true spirit of carnival.
Which carnival traditions are particularly important to you and how would you like to maintain them?
Prinz: For me, the most important thing in carnival is the wild, colorful chaos – where everyone is there, regardless of whether they’re crazy, crazy or just wonderfully strange. As a big fan of 1. FC Köln, I have “Mer stonn to you” firmly in my heart. Just like at FC, the carnival also brings together everyone who has enough confetti in their blood. And then there is the motto “Live as you are”. After all, Carnival is the time when you can be whatever you want. Whether as a pirate, princess or pink flamingo: the main thing is to celebrate together and let it rip. As a prince, it is precisely this tradition that I would like to uphold – the unlimited celebration in which everyone can take part.
What challenges do you see in the coming session and how would you like to address them?
Prinz: The new session will be a real challenge – after all, I not only have to celebrate properly this year, but also have to keep all the events under control as a prince. Normally I enjoy the carnival to the fullest, but now I have to juggle everything and always keep an overview. My plan? With a good dose of organization, a lot of energy and even more humor, make every event an unforgettable experience. After all, no one should feel like they’re missing out – least of all the fun.
What are your hobbies and how do you find time for them while you’re on the road with the KG?
Prinz: In recent years there has often been hardly any time for my actual hobbies – there was basically another “hobby” that took up almost all of my energy and time. Now that it has been eliminated, capacities have been freed up that I can fill perfectly with the office of prince.
What significance does the role of the Virgin have for you, and what would you like to give people in the 2024/2025 session?
Virgo: Leev Marie, that’s clear – the Virgin brings heart and courage, full of pride and fire. It’s important to me that in this session we show everyone that Virgo not only stands for grace, but also for a lot of power. After all, we want to experience a super hot zig here.
Is there a particular carnival experience from your past that you particularly remember?
Virgo: Oh yes, carnival is in our blood. I’ve been collecting funny memories since I was a child – my brother was already a prince 16 years ago, and back then I was determined to wield the foolish scepter at some point. You could say that carnival is a family tradition with a very special character.
How important is working with the prince and the farmer to you, and what makes a good triumvirate for you?
Virgo: Well, real friends stick together – and we especially do. Whether we’re opstonn or dancing, we as a triumvirate always stick together and create a good atmosphere together. Now all hell is breaking loose.
What interests do you have outside of carnival and how do you balance them with your commitment?
Virgo: Well, sport and Netflix will have to wait – my only training will probably be stage swaying. My dog becomes a clown during breaks and reading is limited to written speeches. But next year there will be twice as much Jeck power.
What is particularly important to you during your tenure as a farmer, and how would you like to get involved in your performances?
Bauer: My goal is to create an atmosphere of joy and cohesion and to show that carnival is a celebration that connects everyone – with heart, humor and a good dose of joie de vivre.
How do you see the connection between Carnival and other local traditions and what do you want to do about it?
Bauer: Together with the entire triumvirate, I want to show that local customs are alive and open to everyone – we can do carnival too.
The farmer often represents heartiness in carnival. How would you like to get involved in the carnival?
Bauer: I ensure happiness with a beer in my hand and create a good atmosphere here and throughout Münsterland.
And what do you do for a living and how does your job influence your view of carnival?
Bauer: I am a medicine provider. A skill that will get the triumvirate through the coming session well given the amount of tasks and appointments that lie ahead.
Saturday is the start of the new session
The KG Stadtwacht starts the new session with the prince proclamation. Photo: Irmgard Tappe
On Saturday (November 9th) the KG Stadtwacht opens the new carnival session with the traditional proclamation of the Metelen triumvirate. From 10.30 a.m. the visiting clubs with their prince couples and the guards will parade on the Sendplatz. At 11:11 a.m. sharp, the proclamation took place on the stairs of the Old Office Building and at the same time the horrido was awakened. Afterwards, all young and older fools are invited to the big session opening ceremony in the community center.
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