On April 12, 2019, the Rhenish evening took place at the historic fair in Pützchen. For the first time, the washer princess was officially announced in front of the audience and the media. A week earlier, I was informed that I would be allowed to represent the office of the Washer Princess in the 2019/2020 session.
My great wish has thus come true!
Afterwards, the exciting time of preparations began: First of all, the right lace for the white princess skirt had to be found – no easy task! Unfortunately, lace is not always in the fashion trend, then it has to be wide enough, easy to care for and it should of course please the princess. The motto search was next on the agenda. As all Bonn residents should know, we celebrated the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven this year, so of course he could not be missing from my motto. After numerous submissions, we decided on
“Beuele Wieve classically jeck, with Beethoven he at every corner”.
One of the special dates that I was looking forward to all the time was the historical parade at Pützchensmarkt. Together my washerwomen and I were allowed to go along with this parade with my women’s committee. This was associated with a lot of emotions for me, because Pützchensmarkt is my home. Because “I don’t know if you knew? But I am a showwoman by profession and travel all year round across Germany and spread joy with our carousels,” is how I have proudly described my profession every time. My women’s committee can testify to it and say this sentence after all the performances…
After that, it became a bit quieter until finally 11.11. was just around the corner. The day on which all Bonn madness is presented to the foolish people on the market square. I was excited… I was allowed to give my first big speech, so of course I wanted to do everything right and conquer the hearts of the people! With the best weather and the good mood of the revellers, it was a great day, which I ended with all my friends and committee sisters. After the proclamation of Prince and Bonna and the coronation of the LiKüRa princess, I could hardly wait for my proclamation…
On January 27th, the time had finally come!
The last few days before I could hardly sleep, my excitement was just too great! Even as a child, I had dreamed of one day being able to represent the office of the laundress princess and one day to wear this beautiful dress. The moment before it started, my heart beat faster and faster and when the first beat of the thick debris of the Beuel city soldiers sounded, the procession began with the Beuel city soldiers and my women’s committee. With a pallet truck, steered by my father, I was driven into the raging bridge forum. My brother and cousin supported my father as spacers. As soon as I was booted up and I was finally allowed to show myself to the cheeky people, I couldn’t hold the emotions anymore and the first tears of joy flowed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the women’s committees again for the great program! I couldn’t have dreamed of this day more beautifully.
The first performances after the proclamation include the reception on Sunday morning and the washing competition at the 1st Beuel Häärekomitee on Saturday evening. Of course, I won the washing competition, even though my father washed on the side of the men.
In the whole time we have played many performances, I have always found the performances in the retirement homes and kindergartens to be very special. Here I could always be very close to the “audience”. Something special always awaited us there, be it the children who sang or danced something to us, or seniors who told me stories about my grandfather after the performances, who also traveled through Bonn as a showman with his old swing boat.
But my absolute highlight was the carnival event in the fairground hall in Pützchen, which my father organized especially for me. Our carousel “Octopussy” was specially set up in the hall and all guests were allowed to ride it all evening – I think I’ve never ridden so many carousels in one day in my life.
Of course, well-known bands such as Miljö, die Räuber and Domstürmer were not to be missed. The appearance of my Schutztruppe, the Beuel city soldiers, was also special. After my proclamation, I was able to enjoy a big parade together with them once again and then at such a great event – that was simply indescribable. The last big performance before Weiberfastnacht was the ceremonial meeting of the Beuel city soldiers. For this I have come up with something special: Before I joined the Old Beuel Ladies Committee, I danced with the city soldiers for 10 years. I therefore owe my carnival training to them.
When we had our performance on stage, I lifted my skirt and wore red dancing boots as a surprise – the “Mariechenstiefel”. These boots usually belong to the uniform of the dancing girls. As a symbol of the connection and my dream of becoming a dance girl myself, I allowed myself this fun.
I also thanked them with a photo for the great time and for the friendship that still exists today.
On February 20th, the time had finally come: My big day – Weiberfastnacht!!
The day began with an appointment at Radio Bonn Rhein/Sieg, where our Obermöhn Ina Harder had already heated up the carnival jesters all morning. Afterwards, I was already expected at the setting up of the traditional Weiberfastnacht procession. The procession has already lined up. Before it finally started for me, all the participants in the procession passed me. The excitement of finally arriving on the town hall forecourt and throwing the town hall defenders out of my town hall was great. How could it be otherwise, of course I lured the town hall defenders from the town hall balcony with my charm. Then my father lifted me with the crane onto the town hall balcony without the defenders noticing, and I grabbed the town hall key with a jerk
. So we women have won again!
Afterwards we celebrated something with the “losers” and all the revellers in the town hall.
After Weiberfastnacht there were only a few days left until an unforgettable, unique and great time should come to an end… Violet Tuesday: traditionally, the bonnet is plucked in the Hofburg of the laundress princess, in the restaurant “Wirtshaus zur Rheinbrücke”. When we arrived there, I didn’t want to delay the actual plucking act for long, because I had been very emotional all day anyway and I wanted to get the sad moment over with as quickly as possible. But of course it was not only very emotional for me, but also for everyone else involved.
It was also particularly sad for my washerwomen Lena and Sabrina, without whom this time would probably only have been half as nice. We had an intense and wonderful time together that I will never forget.
I wish Lena a lot of fun in the upcoming session and also an unforgettable time! Even though it will be a slightly different term of office as Washer Princess under the current conditions, I am sure Lena will make the best of it and represent this office very well and maintain our tradition!