Excerpt:
The Rhineland region is gearing up for the culmination of Carnival, also known as the "fifth season." Parade floats, comedians and sketches poke fun at everything - the mass arrival of refugees is no exception.
Every village, every town and city in the Rhineland region celebrates Carnival, which kicks off in earnest on February 4, with almost a week of parades and costumed revelers partying on the street and in bars.
And, no matter how touchy or difficult a subject might be, it's bound to find its way into the Carnival sketches and themed parade floats that traditionally make fun of everything under the sun.