Wika starts with a slow roll

The very popular German carnival, Wika is building up steam as it moves into its second week of celebrations. It started last week with the Biwak moving this weekend to the Children’s Carnival, and then really picking up speed with next week’s Prinzenball, the Fancy Dress evening, the Buettenabend and the International Evenings later in April.
Bank Windhoek has for the 10th consecutive year, supported Wika with a N$33,000 sponsorship. Wika is Namibia’s oldest carnival and celebrates its 61st anniversary this year.  
The Wika motto “Es läuft alles wie geschmiert”, conveys the idea of a smooth-running, never-ending party.
Wika president, Holger Mentzel, said “Windhoek’s fools and jesters can expect fireworks of show acts and fun-filled programmes at this year’s carnival. The public can once again expect to be treated to a host of scintillating performances on and off the stage in 2013.”
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the performances by two seasoned German artists, Marie Luise Nikuta and Andi Ost.
Hailing from Cologne, Nikuta, who has composed and sung many of the official annual theme songs of the carnival season in Germany’s carnival capital, will perform at the Royal Ball on 12 April. Andi Ost, well-known for his satirical performances on stage, is visiting Namibia for the first time. The comedian from Mainz will be on stage at various events throughout the Wika season.
Princess Steffie (Mohrmann) and Prince Eddie (Hälbich), the reigning Royal Couple, have to bid their campaign farewell at the Royal Ball on 12 April and pass on their crown and sceptre to the incumbent sovereigns of the capital’s jesters. “It’s been a wonderful year for the two of us. Naturally, handing over power will be a rather tearful affair, but if this is what the carnival’s tradition of democracy demands from us, we will of course adhere to it”, said Prince Eddie.
The Royal Ball is followed by the traditional float parade through the city centre on 13 April. The newly-crowned Royal Couple, whose identity is kept secret until the Royal Ball, will appear in public for the first time at the parade.
Following the parade, the public will gather at the SKW in Olympia for a traditional “Frühschoppen”.
The 61st Wika draws to a close with the traditional “Kehraus” on 27 April.
Entry tickets to the various Wika events can be booked online on www.windhoek-karneval.com. Direct ticket purchases can be done at Auas Valley Shopping Centre daily between 09:00 and 11:00.