People's Daily -- Germany is famous for its carnival parades. People wear outlandish costumes and celebrate outdoors.
According to Daily Business News, in the small Bavarian town of Dietfurt, this quaint European village is known for something entirely different – everyone who lives here identifies as Chinese for one full day as part of their carnival celebrations.
First held in 1928, this Chinese-style celebration has already received international exposure.
Beginning as early as 2 am, town criers dress up in costumes and run through the streets banging on drums while announcing,“Today we are Chinese!”
By the time the sun has risen and morning gets underway, the town’s streets have already closed, and driving is prohibited for the day.
Residents put on their favorite "Chinese style" clothing, excited for the afternoon parade.
At this year’s parade, residents faces’ are filled with joy, as everyone is excited to be Chinese for a day.
The China-like atmosphere fills the town as flags furl in the wind while "Fu," and "Xi" signs cover doors, windows, and walls throughout the Bavarian town.
The streets and sidewalks are filled with small banners featuring slogans written with Chinese characters like "Hi! Chinese," "Chinese, how are you doing,” and "I wish you a happy life!"
Today the Chinese Carnival has become the most important festival to the locals, even more so than Christmas.
But the fact remains the residents of Dietfurt are indeed German. Hardly anyone in the town can speak more than a few words or sentences in Mandarin.
But they love China!
Chinese is recognized as the town’s official language for the day and is the only town in Europe to hold this distinction.
It is easy to see why Deitfurt is known as the “Bavaria of China.”
