Dear IFTR,  

we are excited to announce our second keynote speaker: Please meet Erith Jaffe-Berg learn more about her lecture »Festive Entanglements: Carnival and the Performances of Minority Groups in Early Modern Europe«. 
Additionally, starting today, you can check out some cultural program recommendations on our website. In the meantime, do not forget you can take advantage of the Early Bird rate for the conference fee until April 30. 

FOW: »What are you going to do? Charge me for smoking?« Catherine Tramell, played by Sharon Stone, asks the police in the interrogation room in the movie Basic Instinct as she lights a cigarette. If these scenes had taken place in Germany in 2025, the answer would have been »YES«.
Whereas less than twenty years ago, when people smoked in restaurants, offices and airplanes, cigarettes were part of everyday life at any time and in any place. However, non-smoker protection laws were passed in Germany at the end of the 2010s. What does that mean specifically? Smoking in all indoor areas is prohibited by law. For all smokers, this means: You will have to smoke outside. You might want to bring a jacket!
Erna Bergmayer's figurines from 1925 prove that, despite all the bans, cigarettes are still interwoven within our culture. (Julie Willems)

CC: The The fact that residents of Cologne take carnival and its costumes very seriously can be seen in the numerous tailor shops that specialize in handmade carnival costumes. Karnevalesque, a small store in the heart of ›Ehrenfeld‹, is one of many examples. The orders of numerous guards, corps and dance groups of Cologne's carnival associations help to keep this craft alive. 
Even though Karnevalesque usually takes a long time to make their tailored costumes, there are countless options in Cologne to find unique pieces - perhaps a great souvenir from the carnival city of Cologne? 

To everyone celebrating Easter, we wish you wonderful holidays and a joyful time with your family!
To everyone else: Alaaf – meaning as much as au fou de partout, to fools everywhere, we greet you!

Kind regards, 

Sona Petrossian
on behalf of the Cologne Team