Setting up the fool's tree in the market square

The raising of the fool's tree is a traditional event of the Radolfzell carnival on Shrove Thursday. The public raising of the fool's tree symbolizes the beginning of the carnival season. The raising of the fool's tree is an integral part of the Radolfzell carnival and traditionally marks the beginning of the hot phase of the carnival season. It takes place on Schmotzigen Dunnschtig and is closely linked to the public appearances of the carnival guilds. The focus is on a large tree, known as the fool's tree. This is prepared jointly by members of the local carnival guilds and then erected in a central location in the town. The erection takes place in public and is accompanied by music, shouting, and carnival customs. The fool's tree serves as a visible symbol of carnival. Its erection signals that the carnival season has officially begun and that everyday life will be shaped by the rules and characters of carnival for a few days. The tree remains standing throughout carnival and is only removed once it is over. The fool's tree ceremony is not a competition or a parade in the strict sense, but a communal custom that combines tradition, craftsmanship, and public celebration. It is aimed equally at active fools and spectators and has a high identity-forming value in Radolfzell.