Der Kölsche Jeck

The "Kölsche Jeck" is not just a carnival figure, but also uniquely shapes the mentality of the people of Cologne. To this day, Cologne serves as a vibrant example of the carnivalization of the largest European cities, a process that took place in the Middle Ages. This story of the Jeck explains how the old lewd mask became and remained a symbol of the city, intricately linked to the political, economic, social, and cultural developments of Cologne. It thoroughly illuminates the Kölsche Jeck as a pattern of thought and behavior among the people of Cologne, starting long before the organized carnival of 1823. Thus, a compendium of Kölsche Jeck culture has emerged, spanning from the Jeck culture of the Middle Ages to today's carnival speeches and songs.