Cologne creates a daily Cologne moment for community and gratitude!

Cologne creates a daily Cologne moment for community and gratitude!

There is a new, exciting idea in Cologne that is intended to enrich city life: a daily Cologne moment at 11:11 a.m. for 11 seconds. The inspiring initiator behind this proposal is Annette Frier, who was born in Cologne. Your concept, which is part of the “100 Ideas for Cologne” series Cologne City Gazette is reminiscent of the song “What the world needs now is love” by Jackie DeShannon. It's about interrupting the hectic pace of everyday life to express gratitude and communicate with each other, similar to what is practiced in other cultures, such as Bali, where people pause regularly.

An important element of the Cologne moment is a greeting of peace that could be exchanged during these 11 seconds. Frier suggests the mantra “Ave – Shalom – Insh’alaaf.” There are various implementation ideas, such as the ringing of church bells at 11:11 a.m., announcements in the KVB trains or the opportunity for participants to place their hand on their heart. Even if the idea is not tied to a specific location, it is accessible to all Cologne residents free of charge.

Carnival start in Cologne

Another highlight in Cologne tradition is the carnival, which brings joy and community in a time marked by crises. On November 11th Thousands of people in Cologne celebrated the start of the new carnival session. Here too it rained initially, but the good mood remained undimmed. Many participants wore imaginative group costumes, including flamingos, mermaids and even doves of peace. Particularly notable was Hoppeditz from Düsseldorf, who emerged from a mustard barrel in a Trump wig. Although the costumes were initially hidden under rain capes, the sun came out in the afternoon and created a great party atmosphere.

The Cologne Carnival has a long history, dating back to 1822, when some educated men wanted to revive the old folk festival. This led to the founding of the Great Carnival Society in 1823. Initiators such as Ferdinand Franz Wallraf and Matthias Joseph de Noël made a decisive contribution to the organization and design of the carnival. The first Rose Monday procession in Cologne took place on February 10, 1823 and was a real highlight under the motto “Ascension to the throne of the Carnival hero”. Since then, the Cologne Carnival has developed into an important tradition that brings people from all walks of life together.

Cologne's culture is changing

Whether it's about the traditional carnival or new ideas like the Cologne Moment, one thing remains constant: the cohesion and joy of the people of Cologne. While many people have been burdened by crises and challenges in recent years, a clear trend is emerging: the community spirit is becoming stronger, and innovative ideas for improving city life are being very well received. After all, Cologne has a good knack for sticking together even in difficult times and making the best of every situation.