Carnival parade in Bad Schandau again criticized for racism allegations

The carnival parade in Bad Schandau is once again being criticized due to accusations of racism. "Carnival is allowed to cross the boundaries of good taste. But when millions of people are belittled using racist stereotypes, as is the case here, the fun stops," Left Party parliamentary group leader Rico Gebhardt told the German Press Agency in Dresden on Monday. For years, some of the participants in the parade seemed to have "outweighed the desire for misanthropic provocation". "Those responsible locally should finally learn a lesson from this."

According to consistent media reports, four carnivalists painted in black with a sign reading "The long snake from the savannah" also marched through Bad Schandau last Saturday. They wore frizzy wigs and had painted their lips bright red, two women wore African-style robes and one of them pulled a cart loaded with suitcases.

"Cheap racism and flaunted misanthropy are simply repulsive. We are witnessing how the seeds sown by AfD & Co are sprouting," said SPD leader Henning Homann: "I love carnival. It also serves to hold up a mirror to those in power. But carnival does not step down. Apparently, some people have lost all decency, every remaining spark of respect for other people."

Ines Kummer (Greens), member of the state parliament, emphasized: "The incidents at the carnival parade in Bad Schandau are completely out of line. Blackfacing has nothing to do with legitimate political expression, it is racism." Unfortunately, this is yet another clear transgression of boundaries. "The actually beautiful tradition of carnival in our region is being damaged by such actions."

The carnival association in Bad Schandau initially did not respond to a request for comment on Monday morning. The parades in the town on the Elbe have made the headlines before. In 2023, a float with the inscription "Asylranch" was part of the procession. Several people dressed as Native Americans danced on it. A man in a rainbow suit was tied to a stake. A sign read: "Germany decadent and sick, Winnetou seeks asylum in Saxony."