In recent years Berliners have witnessed the introduction of a strange ethnic festival to the German capital: yes, Fasching - carnival season - has come to town, brought in mainly by migrants from less cosmopolitan areas of the nation such as the Rheinland, particularly Cologne and Bonn. Fasching was virtually unknown in the city until the federal government moved here; since then it's become an event, but one which Berliners have not really taken into their hearts, which is understandable because it seems to involve very silly hats.

High point of the Fasching season is the carnival - sort of aLove Parade for pratts. Berlin too has its very own carnival, which will take place next Sunday (February 18th). It will begin at 11.11 at Olivaer Platz and continue up the Ku'damm, along theTauentzienstrasse via Wittenbergplatz where it will double back to Zoo Station, fetching up at Ernst-Reuter-Platz at about 2pm.

2,500 carnivalists from 130 carnival groups are expected to take part on around 60 floats. The press is speaking of an expected million or so spectators, most of whom will be aiming to capture some of the three tons of sweets being thrown about. There will be a children's event on Breitscheidplatz / Europa-Center at 1pm.

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