Cologne honors carnival icon: Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz inaugurated!

Cologne honors carnival icon: Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz inaugurated!

There is a new square in Cologne that is now named after one of the great icons of the Cologne Carnival. Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz was inaugurated on Rudolfplatz, not far from Hahnentorburg, to honor the achievements of Marie-Luise Nikuta, who died in 2020. As an important figure in the Cologne carnival scene, she left behind an impressive musical legacy, including over 40 carnival theme songs, many of which have become classics. Their anthem “Levve Un Levve Losse” remains unforgettable and is now part of the square’s motto. According to come-on.de, Nikuta campaigned for equality and tolerance throughout her life and was active in the queer community, where she appeared at events even before homosexual acts were decriminalized.

The official naming of the previously nameless square was unanimously decided by the city center/Deutz district council. This decision is not only a homage to Nikuta's life's work, but also a sign of support for the queer scene in Cologne. The square is located near the so-called “Bermuda Triangle”, the center of this vibrant culture. Diversity is lived here, and it is no wonder that a group of friends and supporters will take over the care and design of the space. koelner-karneval.org emphasizes that the Hahnentor, which is the seat of the traditional Honor Guard of the city of Cologne, is nearby.

A monument to tolerance and diversity

The first projects are already being worked on at Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz. Small steles document Nikuta's life and provide in-depth information using QR codes. Bettina Montazem, founder of the Urania Theater, sees this square as a symbol of togetherness in society. Christoph Kuckelkorn, President of the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee, ennobles Nikuta as a pioneer for Cologne women on stage. Her daughter, Andrea Nikuta-Meerloo, described the square as a valuable part of her mother's legacy and as a sign of her love for Cologne and its culture, as come-on.de reports.

How the Cologne Carnival is evolving with the diversity of society can also be seen in another exciting event: next year, a queer triumvirate will be proclaimed for the first time. René Klöver, Hendrik Ermen and Michael Samm will be celebrated in Gürzenich on January 10, 2024, thereby sending a strong signal for the recognition of the queer community in the carnival. Prince René Klöver emphasizes how important it is to send signals for tolerance and diversity in today's world, which society urgently needs - a view that the initiators of the new square also share. According to yeswe.koeln, the proclamation of the triumvirate with 1,300 invited guests will be a special kind of event where the message of the beauty of diversity will be underlined once again.