Cologne: Turkish Karneval club was a TV spoof

News this week that the first Turkish Karneval club had been founded in Cologne with the aim of making the wild and boozy festivities a more civilised matter befitting Muslims has turned out to be a TV spoof, broadcaster RTL revealed on Friday.


"We just wanted to show how Cologne would react to such an idea," RTL told news agency DPA. "The immense media echo show that such an idea wasn't so absurd."


The supposed club founders held a large press conference that was heavily covered by German media. They suggested adding Turkish flair to Karneval by putting an enormous mustache on the famous Cologne cathedral, among other laughable ideas.


The Cologne Karneval committee, which had welcomed the announcement, took the joke lightly, saying it had brought an important issue to light. "With this at least it's clear that many Turkish residents celebrate Karneval already," committee chair Sigrid Krebs said. "The only thing that I find to be a shame is that it was carried on the backs of the Turkish population. The Turks were mocked."


Right-wing extremist voter organisation Pro Köln warned of an "alcohol ban until February's end" and a "burka offer for female Karneval goers," DPA reported.


RTL's spokesman said the lampoon, filmed for new comedy series TV Helden hosted by Jan Böhmermann, was "legitimate" and that no one was harmed.


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Source: The Local (English)

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