Dorothee Bär - Marine Expert and Rocket - German Minister Uses Carnival Costume to Highlight Ocean Conservation
Federal Minister Dorothee Bär made a splash at the Franconian Shrovetide celebrations by dressing in a sea-themed costume. The outfit, designed to highlight ocean conservation, came just a week after she received a carnival honour in Aachen for a very different look—one inspired by space travel.
In Veitshöchheim, Bär appeared with turquoise eyelids, a fishing net draped over her shoulders, and a large pearl necklace. The costume was her way of drawing attention to marine science, an area under her ministry's responsibility. Yet, beyond this single carnival appearance, no major initiatives or projects from her department (BMFTR) have gained public notice in recent years.
Her husband, Oliver Bär, praised the choice, calling her 'a rocket'—a playful nod to her earlier space-themed outfit. That silver dress had earned her the Carnival Order Against Animal Seriousness in Aachen just days before. While the two costumes differed in theme, both reflected her knack for using carnival traditions to spotlight broader issues.
Bär herself acknowledged that her ministry oversees marine research. However, specific actions or programmes tied to ocean protection have remained out of the spotlight since her eye-catching appearance.
The minister's Shrovetide costume put marine conservation briefly in the public eye. But beyond the carnival stage, her ministry's work in ocean research has yet to produce visible progress. For now, the turquoise eyelids and fishing net remain her most memorable contribution to the cause.
