Press releases

Over the past two weekends, the Öcher Schängche puppet theater association once again hosted five carnival sessions. "Öcher fiere met et Schängche Fastelovvend" once again showcased traditional participatory carnival, where the close connection between the audience, the ensemble and the carnival performers offered an extraordinary experience.

This time, even Emperor Karl himself mingled with the revelers on his bike - as did Prince Serkan I with his Schängche Uwe Hahn, Prince Charming Julian I and the popular carnival singers Uwe Barthel, Kurt Christ and Hans Montag. The 1st KG "Koe Jonge" Richterich and the KG Grün-Weiß Lichtenbusch with their royalty and many other carnival performers also provided the best entertainment. The five sold-out sessions were held under the motto "Dörch de Stadt dönt vür nu trecke, denn vür sönd joe Fastelovvendsjecke".

Musical director Hanna Birmans hosted the puppet session together with her predecessor, the current chairman of the sponsors' association Otto Trebels. The ensemble literally made the puppets dance in an exuberant atmosphere. The carnival sessions at the Stadtpuppenbühne are always a special highlight for the person who has the character of Schängche in the Aachen court - this time Uwe Hahn. For some seasons, Schängche medals have even been awarded.

The "Öcher fiere met et Schängche Fastelovvend" sessions have featured guest appearances by the reigning royalty and well-known singers for many years. One of the longest-standing guests is the singing Figaro Hans Montag. And there is a lot of singing together - in Öcher Platt, of course. Since 1921, there have been puppet shows in Aachen dialect. In 1986, the Stadtpuppenbühne Öcher Schängche, which has been based in the Kulturhaus Barockfabrik on Löhergraben since 1982, was awarded the Thouet Dialect Prize of the City of Aachen and the Prize for European Regional Culture for its services to the Aachen dialect. The carnival sessions of the Stadtpuppenbühne were established in 1996.

Information on the current 2025 season can be found online at www.oecherschaengche.de.