What is Fasching?
Fasching is a German festival of pagan origin, whose original purpose was to drive out the evil ghosts of winter and to greet the long-awaited spring. The Fasching celebration officially began on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour of the day, when a Fasching king and queen were chosen. The celebration then died down until the Christmas holiday was over, or about January 10. From then until Ash Wednesday, it was a time for the rigorous pursuit of fun and frolic. The royal Fasching couple would attend three or four balls per night that lasted until morning. Other participants would attend three or four parties a week. It was not unusual for a couple to go deep in debt, and even visit the pawnbroker, to have enough cash for a good time at Fasching.
Of course I wouldn't party to such extent to visit the pawnbroker
