The next few weeks in Germany will see all sorts of carnival activities taking place, and one of the first ones in many towns is the Rathaussturm where the carnival princes and princesses take over control of the town halls and send the Mayors on holiday until Ash Wednesday.

The Mayors do not usually give in that easily, and a verbal exchange often takes place outside the town hall before the ceremonial key is finally handed over, much to the delight of the onlookers. Although once inside the building, the princes and princesses are likely to found out that the town’s treasure chest is empty.