72nd Ottojaner Karneval — OTTO's Time Travel Agency

Magdeburg's 'Jeck' Club

The Ottojaner e.V. is the largest Karneval club in the state capital Magdeburg. Founded in 1954, it's now well over 70 sessions old. The name refers to Magdeburg's historical pride: Otto the Great, the first Holy Roman Emperor, who made the city his favorite residence in the 10th century. The Ottojaner are thus literally 'Otto followers' — a slightly tongue-in-cheek brand name that celebrates and parodies the identity of Magdeburg's citizens with the medieval emperor.

Karneval at the AMO Kulturhaus

The venue is the AMO Kulturhaus on Erich-Weinert-Straße — one of Magdeburg's largest event venues. Spread across several dance floors, halls, and foyers, around 700 costumed guests gather on Karneval night, along with performers, DJs, and the entire club ensemble. Admission at 7 PM, program starts at 8:11 PM (a typical Karneval time).

Motto 2026: 'OTTO's Time Travel Agency'

The motto for the 72nd session is an invitation to travel through time together. From the Middle Ages (knights, damsels, Otto the Great) through Antiquity (Cleopatra, Caesar), the 20th century (Angela Merkel — or one of her parodies), to the distant future (Darth Vader, Sci-Fi influences). Even the Flintstones make a cameo. The motto allows for costume freedom on an unusually broad scale — and provides a narrative framework for the stage shows.

Magdeburg, Capital of Saxony-Anhalt

With around 240,000 inhabitants, Magdeburg is the capital and largest city of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Karneval has a remarkable tradition in Magdeburg, even if it doesn't reach the Rhineland's dimension. The Ottojaner have been the defining element here for over 70 years — stage shows, dance troupes, speeches, songs, pyrotechnics, and a jubilant audience.