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Cologne (dpa) - According to a study, the corona-related cancellation of the carnival celebrations costs the Schunkel metropolis of Cologne just under 600 million euros.
From the usual sales per session - i.e. in the period 11.11.
until Ash Wednesday - this time there was probably only about 9 million euros or less than two percent left, according to an analysis by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
"In almost all areas of the carnival, the income has broken down due to the corona measures," explains BCG partner Jochen Schönfelder.
Cologne is the largest German carnival stronghold.
Those who suffer financially are mainly musicians, event organizers and the hospitality industry, such as pub owners and employees.
A lot of business is also missing from breweries and the beverage trade.
The remaining mini-sales are accounted for by Internet formats and the dispatch of costumes and medals.
However, the online sale of carnival costumes cannot even begin to compensate for the slump in sales due to closed shops, because many people do without a new disguise this year: Even at home they shouldn't sway with friends.
Carnival celebrations are not only omitted in pubs and event rooms, but also in schools.
Only in kindergartens is often celebrated at least in groups, so there is still a certain need for costume.
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The financial consequences for the 2020/21 session are enormous, according to Schönfelder, there could be bankruptcies in the event and catering industry.
But the BCG expert also sees positive aspects.
Creative, virtual types of celebration could now establish themselves.
"Alternative formats such as the drive-in cinema or streaming offers generate less than 10 percent of the usual sales [...] due to lower prices and the number of guests, and in total they reach significantly fewer participants," says Schönfelder.
"Nevertheless, they promote the maintenance and return to the cultural character of the carnival."
He is optimistic about the 2021/22 session.
"A usual portfolio of events can be expected for the next session," he says.
In his opinion, the mood and desire for Carnival will be unbroken.
"We expect that there will be good sales again in the catering, hotel and event industries."
Next Thursday is Weiberfastnacht, the week after the carnival session ends with Ash Wednesday (February 17th).
Because of the pandemic, all carnival celebrations in groups are prohibited.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210207-99-334607 / 2