Tünnes and Schäl are two legendary characters from Cologne´s Hänneschen puppet theatre and are as much a part of the city as kölsch and carnival. The two could hardly be more different: Schäl is the typically city dweller, while Tünnes is the farmer who has come to Cologne from the countryside. Tünnes, whose name comes from Anton, is a simple, good natured farmer with plenty of rustic charm. He wears a blue smock and a red neckerchief, and his red hair has earned him the Colognes nickname “ne Fuss”. His round nose is usually red too, since he is rather fond of a Kölsch. His innocent and slightly naive nature often gets him into funny situations. Even today, people in Cologne might say “Dat is ne Tünnes” about someone who seems a little simple.

Schäl is quite the opposite. Slim, smartly dressed in tails and a hat, he sees himself as a man about town and is clever, sometimes even rather devious. His name has a double meaning in Kölsch: Schäl can mean cross eyed, but also false or untrustworthy. ogether, Tünnes and Schäl are a humorous reflection of Cologne characters and traditions and remain a familiar part of many Carnival events. Life size figures of the pair can also be found in Brigittengässchen, where they have become a popular Cologne sight.