Mainz bleibt Mainz, wie es singt und lacht — Fernsehsitzung

A German Television Institution

The session "Mainz bleibt Mainz, wie es singt und lacht" has been broadcast on ZDF since 1955 and has developed into an institution of German television during this time. With its mix of political-literary speeches (Bütt-Rede), high-ranking guard dances, and musical highlights, it sets the standard for German TV Fastnacht and reaches millions of viewers annually.

Kurfürstliches Schloss as a Symbolic Stage

The venue is the Kurfürstliches Schloss Mainz, a Renaissance-Baroque building on the Rhine, which was once the residence of the Mainz Prince-Electors. This location lends the session a special historical dignity – and ensures the visual elegance that has shaped the TV broadcast for decades. The grand hall is transformed for the session into a festive hall with a stage, committee seating, and guard formations.

Andreas Schmitt as Session President

On the session president's chair sits Andreas Schmitt, one of the defining figures of modern Mainz Carnival. In his moderating hand lie the transitions between acts, the appreciation of the performers, and the maintenance of the session's pace – tasks he fulfills with his characteristic blend of dignity and mischief.

Christina Grom: First Woman as Head of Protocol

A historic premiere marks the 2026 edition: Christina Grom is the first woman to head the protocol. This role is central to Mainz Carnival – she is responsible for the precise choreography of the session, the order of performances, and the functioning of the committee. The fact that this position is held by a woman for the first time, after decades of male tradition, is an important signal for Carnival culture.

Motto and Significance

The 2026 campaign honors the 100th anniversary of the Mainzer Hofsänger, one of the city's most famous Carnival clubs. The motto will be present in the speeches, musical contributions, and the staging of the session.