Rodener Faasendumzug

Faasend instead of Karneval

In Saarland, Carnival is traditionally called "Faasend" – a variant of High German Fastnacht, closer to Rhenish Karneval than to Southern German Fasnacht, but with its own Saarland accent. The Rodener Faasendumzug, organized by the Karnevalsgesellschaft Karo-Blau-Gold Roden ("KARO"), is one of the largest carnival parades in western Saarland and the largest in the city of Saarlouis.

2:11 PM – The Magical Carnival Hour

The parade traditionally sets off at 2:11 PM – the number 11 is the sacred number of Carnival (November 11th at 11:11 AM marks the start of the season). The starting point is in the north of the Roden district, and the destination is the market square in the town center, where the closing rally with carnival music and dance performances takes place.

The Parade Route

The parade winds through the central streets of Roden: Kurt-Schumacher-Allee, Wasserwerkstraße, Senzigstraße, Mühlenstraße, Saarwellinger Straße, Winterstraße, Heiligenstraße, Schulstraße, Lindenstraße, and finally Marktplatz Roden. The entire route is lined with thousands of spectators in costumes – witches, cowboys, Native Americans, animals, political caricatures – all waiting for the famous "Kamelle", the sweets thrown from the carnival floats.

Floats, Guards, Music Clubs

The parade consists of carnival floats from Roden clubs and friendly carnival societies from the region, guard dances with their Funkenmariechen (carnival dancers), music clubs with march and dance music, carnival bands, walking groups with themed costumes, and possibly political satire floats. The diversity is great and makes the Rodener parade one of the best in Saarlouis.

Roden – A District with Carnival Pride

With around 7,500 inhabitants, Roden is one of the largest districts of Saarlouis (along with Fraulautern). The district has a strong carnival tradition, carried by the KG Karo-Blau-Gold. The club logo – the colors blue and gold with the diamond symbol – adorns half of Roden during the carnival days.

In the Context of Saarland's Faasend

Carnival in Saarland is celebrated intensely, especially in the predominantly Catholic districts of Saarlouis, Dillingen, Merzig, Völklingen, and their surrounding communities. The Rodener parade on Shrove Tuesday is one of the last major highlights of the season before Ash Wednesday and, at the same time, the largest carnival parade of the city of Saarlouis itself.