== Carnival in Germany, Switzerland and Austria == 

 Hi Symposiarch I'm referred to you by , who suggested in our discussion  that you may know more about Carnival traditions than she. 

 I'm still puzzled by the tradition of starting Carnival as early as 11 November rather than at Shrovetide, but here my specific question has to do with this paragraph which doesn't seem to make sense (my emphasis below): 
 :*Although the festival and party season in Germany starts as early as the beginning of January, the actual carnival week starts on the Thursday ("Weiberfastnacht") before Ash Wednesday. German carnival parades are held on the weekend before and especially on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), the day before Shrove Tuesday, and sometimes also on Shrove Tuesday ("Faschingsdienstag") in the suburbs of larger carnival cities. The carnival session [is season meant?] begins each year on 11 November at 11:11 a.m. and finishes on Ash Wednesday with the main festivities happening around Rosenmontag; this time is also called the "Fifth Season." 
 Is "the beginning of January" simply wrong, or is this another special date in the celebration of Carnival? It's all very confusing. (And I still don't understand in what sense a "carnival" continues from November until Lent.) Thanks for any help you may be able to give.