Germany

Ever since Michael Schumacher began to race the Formula One Championship, “Schumi mania” would hit the German Grand Prix, the grandstands full to the brim of Ferrari fans every midyear. The mania reached fever pitch whenever the German Grand Prix was held at Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, which is close to Schumacher’s hometown. The race track is also known as Hockenheimring, or more fondly, Hockenheim, after the large town where the GP can be found when it is not held in Nürburg near Cologne.

The German Grand Prix was an official event in 1929, and was preceded by a national race that would begin in 1926 and the Kaiserpreis of 1907, but was a year late to the Formula 1 championship, joining only in 1951 because Germany was not allowed to participate in international events after World War II. The country did make up for it by regularly staging the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring and Hockenheimring, through the years, and even hosting the European Grand Prix at Nürburgring. That is, until 2007, when only the European Grand Prix was held, after which it was declared that Germany would only host one GP each year.

Still, that doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm crackling in the air in July, as it did not when the Hockenheim circuit was shortened, but without decreasing the size of the audience, in fact increasing the seating capacity by adding more grandstands, which remain jampacked with German Grand Prix ticket-holders.

When the Hockenheim was longer, the roads cut through the forests of the Rhine valley, running up to 8km in length, with four lengthy straights which allowed the drivers to zoom off like daredevils. The “Motodrom” stadium area was added when fans picked up interest in the grand prix. Chicanes were added on two occasions, when drivers Jim Clark and Patrick Depailler were killed in 1968 and 1980 respectively.

The circuit was deemed too dangerous and at the turn of the century, F1 officials demanded to have the track shortened. Renovated by Hermann Tilke, who also designed the Sepang, Bahrain, Istanbul, Singapore, Shanghai and Valencia circuits for the F1 competition, many tight corners were added to compensate for the loss of the long forest straights, with all the action concentrated in the stadium areas, where all the grandstands are found.

The German Grand Prix has drivers doing 67 laps around Hockenheim, with a circuit lap of 4.57 km, for a total of 306.46 km per race. Kimi Räikkönen holds the fastest lap record there in 2004, clocking in at 1:13.78.

Pre-Formula One, German auto racing legend Rudolf Caracciolla would win the German Grand Prix four times, and the national pre-GP racing event twice as well, but after his last win in 1939, no other German driver would win the German Grand Prix until Michael Schumacher in 1995. His brother Ralf Schumacher would also win in 2001, before Michael won the trophy another three times, in 2002, 2004 and 2006. In between, Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya and Spain’s Fernando Alonso won in 2003 and 2005.

Although a German Grand Prix was announced in 2007, the grand prix at Nürburgring was listed as the Großer Preis von Europa, or the European Grand Prix. The German Grand Prix returned to Hockenheim in 2008, while the European Grand Prix was slated for Valencia, Spain.

You can fly in to either the Frankfurt airport, which is 90 km from Hockenheim, or the Stuttgart airport, which is 102 km. Fans who already live in Germany usually take their own cars to the site of the track and set up camp in the forest. Internationally-based fans can hire rental cars, take coach services into the nearby towns of Mannheim or Heidelberg, or trains that go to Heidelberg or Schwetzingen and stay at the small hotels there, taking a 30-minute taxi ride to the Hockenheimring on racing days.

Or you can join the locals and set up camp in the forest as well, which resembles a small community with barbecues and drinking sprees where everyone is invited.

The Hockenheimring’s new grandstands tallies up a total seating area of 120,000. German Grand Prix tickets vary in cost according to location. The most expensive, yet most popular, seats are found in front of the start-finish line. Still most seats allow a great deal of the action, since the track is more compact and the flat surface allows more views of greater distances.

The International Berlin Beer Festival might be a relative newcomer on the European festival ‘circuit’ – having only been established since 1997 – but it has quickly proved itself to be a veritable giant. And not just because it has the longest beer garden in the world!

The International Berlin Beer Festival is held during the first weekend of August every year and now attracts well in excess of 800,000 visitors to this fascinating city. The Karl Marx Allee, which is about a mile and a half in length, becomes the focus of the festival. It is divided into 20 or so different beer ‘regions’, each of which will focus on the food, culture – and beer – of the area. Beer lovers can ponder on the prospect of there being more than 1800 types available from 80 or more countries and over 240 different breweries. So much beer – so little time.

Visitors can call in at the various Information Points along the route to purchase the official Festival Beer Mug to carry along with them, replenishing it at the various bars along the way. The Festival represents the opportunity of trying beers from all over the world. All the most famous brand names are here – along with others only the most dedicated beer aficionado will have heard of.

One of the most popular aspects of the Beer Festival is the entertainment available. Each year there are up to 18 separate stages erected on Karl Marx Allee, featuring live rock, folk, country and pop music. There are even Comedy Stages. At various times over the weekend, there will be processions of historical brewery vehicles driving along the Festival street. All this superb entertainment – and it’s absolutely free of charge. No wonder so many people now treat the International Berlin Beer Festival as a regular part of their summer; it has all the traditional festival elements, in the middle of one of the world’s great cities.

Berlin itself has become more popular with visitors during recent years. Much of the focus, of course, has been on recent historical landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the amazing Berlin Jewish Museum and stretches of the evocative Berlin Wall – including the unique East Side Gallery. This is a section of the wall, nearly a mile in length, with more than one hundred stunning mural paintings.

There is more to see in Berlin, however, than poignant reminders of the past seventy years. A wealth of Prussian Baroque and Classical architecture can be found – especially notable being the Charlotte Palace and the Reichstag Buuilding. Berlin is also a city of beautiful parks and lakes – especially the city’s ‘lungs’, the Tiergarten. Let’s not forget that mainland Europe’s largest department store, KaDeWe – a veritableElysian Fields for shopaholics – can be found on the Wittenberg Platz in the centre of the main shopping area.

The city of Berlin currently has two International Airports – Tegel and Schönefeld, a little outside the city and where the budget airlines tend to fly. The current plan is that all air traffic will eventually be centered around a new airport currently under construction at Schönefeld – the Berlin Brandenburg International.

As would be expected in such a vast metropolitan area, accommodation in Berlin is plentiful and varied. Keep in mind, however, that more than three quarters of a million people attend the International Berlin Beer Festival each year – many of them visitors – so it is best to make reservations as early as possible. More information about the festival can be found on the official festival website.

Many people are now taking the opportunity of enjoying a weekend break in the month leading up to Christmas by going across to Germany and enjoying the unmistakable atmosphere of their traditional Christmas Markets. To be found in not only the biggest cities but also in small market towns and tiny hamlets, the German Christmas Market provides a wonderful antidote to the doses of over-commercialistion of so much of the modern Christmas. In essence, these long-established parts of German culture touch into a part of all of us because of the sense of enchantment and joy they transmit.

For many centuries, winter markets were held in German towns but, little by little, they have developed in size and importance into the great celebrations they now provide – without losing their special festive atmosphere. At typical Christmas Markets you will be able to buy presents for people back home that you can be absolutely sure will be very special indeed – craftwork of genuine quality. Figures for cribs, toys, carvings, candles, jewellery, clothing, Gingerbread Men – gifts that can be practical, whimsical or romantic. And, as you wander amongst the many stalls lining the streets, you’ll be seduced by the smells of mulled wine, grilled sausages, baked apples and hot chestnuts, beguiling your taste buds.

Most Christmas markets in Germany begin a week or so before the end of November and run all the way through to Christmas Eve. Quite a few actually stay until the end of the year. They’ll usually be open from about 10 o’clock in the morning until 9 or 10 at night.

The comprehensive Germany Christmas markets website has details of more than 60 places in Germany which have traditional markets every Christmas, and the dates each one will be open. However, here are a few of the cities which might be of particular interest and what they have to offer at this excting time of the year.

Berlin, for example, hosts an incredible number of individual markets – about 60 or so most years. These range from small, quiet markets on little side streets right the way up to the gigantic celebrations in Gendarmenmarkt and Potsdamer Platz. You’ll find not only the traditional Christmas Market attractions but also thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, ice skating rinks and, in Potsdamer Plaz, a fantastic toboggan run. There are even markets around the Brandenburg Gate.

Cologne is always a popular place to visit and, with four large Christmas Markets, around two million people flock to the heart of the Rhineland each December. The markets here all have spectacular settings. For example, the market on Rudolfplatz is against the eye-catching backdrop of the medieval Hahnentorburg; the Alter Market is in front of the Town Hall in the old part of town and there is also a wonderful site at the cathedral where artificial Christmas trees have pride of place. Children will find Cologne especially appealling with many fairy tale characters in the streets, wonderful illuminations, puppet theatres and much, much more. The city is also host to numerous concerts and nativity displays at this time – as well as having an enormous temporary ice rink at Heumarkt.

Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Stuttgart are German cities which attract many overseas visitors and all have thriving traditional markets during late November and throughout December. Dusseldorf, although the Old Town is often known as the world’s longest bar, is especially attractive for families. The Christmas Market in Frankfurt, over 600 years old, is one of Germany’s most popular whilst Stuttgart’s is one of the most beautiful – especially round the New Palace with its stunning open air skating rink.

The German Christmas Markets can provide you with a perfect excuse to visit some of Europe’s most interesting cities when they are at their liveliest, most traditional and perhaps most beautiful. You can buy unusual gifts, eat delicious food – and revel in a wonderful festive atmosphere.

One of the world’s most famous and well-attended festivals, Oktoberfest has become synonymous with Munich. As many as 6 million people flock to the Bavarian city every year to join in what can only be described as the Beer festival to end all Beer festivals! In 2021 the Munich beer festival will take place from Saturday September 18th until Sunday October 3rd.

Oktoberfest originated as far back as 1810 – October 18th to be precise. Back then, though, it was a very different occasion; a Royal marriage, in fact. Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become king, and his new bride Princess Therese held a prestigious horse race to commemorate their union on October 12th. Since 1818 beers have been supplied to the festival by the ‘Big Six’ breweries, although originally much darker than the lagers we are accustomed to today. The horse races continued to be run until 1960, by which time the Oktoberfest had become well-known internationally.

The main location of the Oktoberfest is the Theresienwiese Festival Ground – named after the aforementioned princess – or ‘Wies’n’ as it’s more likely to be called by Munich people. Here you’ll find the fourteen main beer tents. However, if the phrase ‘beer tent’ conjures up an image of a small tent at a village fête, you’d be so very wrong.

The Hofbräu tent is reputed to be the most raucous of them all and the Fischer-Vroni tent reckons to have the best food – and not simply the sausage, ox and chicken that seem to be everywhere around the city. The Hippodrom – which might well be the first tent you see as you enter the site – although one of the smallest tents is said to be one of the friendliest.

Each tent has its own atmosphere and own specialities. Apparently, local residents like to keep the Augustiner-Festhalle tent a secret because they consider that its beer – in wooden kegs rather than stainless steel – is generally reckoned to be the best.

Whichever tent you choose, though, you’ll see backpackers and the luxury traveller side by side, along with Bavarians fully decked out in their lederhosen and sennerhut all merrily drinking beer.

Since 2005, tents have been instructed to play music at restricted sound levels, to try to make them more accessible for older people and families until 6 pm. It’s after this time that things can begin to get rowdier.

Although most people know of the beer-drinking element of Oktoberfest, there is more to it than just swilling lager. Folk lore groups parade through the streets and give concerts; there is an agricultural show and a fantastic fair ground fun fair.

Although it’s possible to get into some tents without a reservation – as long as you arrive early, before they become full – it is best to make reservations before you go. That way you can be certain of getting a seat and a table. Visitors can buy beer and food vouchers to use at the festival, although unused ones are also valid in taverns in the city.

Where to Stay at the Munich beer Festival

With so many visitors accommodation in Munich is highly sought after. Your chances of locating something suitable, and at far cheaper prices, are raised by looking outside of the city itself. For such advice the Munich tourist office website is worth a look.

There are two excellent camping sites – Obermenzing and Thalkirchen – but again try to book early and the city provides additional parking spaces for people with motorhomes. Those driving cars into the city are recommended to use the abundant Park and Ride schemes as you approach Munich. Although the subways can obviously be very crowded, generally public transport is superb.

Often considered to be a beer drinker’s idea of Paradise, the Oktoberfest will surely be an occasion to remember – well, what you can actually remember of it. If you’re interested in attending the Oktoberfest then there is a comprehensive web site which gives full details for visitors.

The Wagner Festival, often simply referred to as the Bayreuth Festival, is an annual celebration of the works of Richard Wagner, centered around the Festspielhaus Opera House. It was the composer himself who founded the summer festival in Bayreuth in 1876 and such eminent figures as Kaiser Wilhelm, Anton Bruckner, Edvard Grieg, Franz Liszt, Peter Tchaikovsky and Friedrich Nietzsche attended. It was largely because one of the first guests, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, took such a keen interest that the festival was able to survive – the first being something of a financial disaster for Wagner. It was at the 1876 Festival that Wagner’s Ring Cycle was first performed and later, in 1882, Parsifal had its premier here.

Wagner himself was prominent in the design of the Festspielhaus, which was better suited for the massive orchestras and sets which the composer required to give his works their full justice than the Margravial Opera House – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be perhaps the most striking Baroque theatre in Europe. The Festspielhaus was opened in 1876 and, with its incredible acoustics, perfect viewing positions, hidden orchestra pit and sumptuous décor, it remains one of the world’s most prized musical venues.

The Wagner family still plays an active part in the organisation and artistic direction of each year’s Wagner Festival. It is generally accepted that a new production of Der Ring des Nibelungen will be presented about every six years. When no Ring cycle is programmed, five operas are performed.

Clearly, the Wagner Festival is the world’s premier venue for performances of the composer’s work and, as such, the demand for tickets is enormous. It has been estimated that annually more than half a million applications are received for the approximately 58,000 tickets which become available. There is a waiting list for tickets which can be anything from seven to ten years. In order to have your name entered on the waiting list, you have to apply each year, with the official application form which can only be obtained by post from the Box Office, whose address can be found on the festival website. There are some tickets each year allocated by means of a lottery and others given to the Friends of Bayreuth but it is also possible to actually turn up on the day of a concert and go to the Box Office and queue for a ‘return’. This is more likely to happen towards the end of a season’s performances.

Bayreuth, the largest city in the Upper Franconia region of northern Bavaria, is a delightful city, especially in a pleasant German summer. A thriving university town of only about 75,000 inhabitants, it has some architecturally interesting palaces; the beautiful and historic Eremitage Gardens – with some spectacular fountains and, as it is situated on a hill, some wonderful ‘framed’ views– and the Lohengrin thermal spa. The New Castle and the Franz Liszt Museum are also popular tourist destinations. There is a good range of hotels and hostels to cover all needs, although the prices are subject to an increase at festival time. The official website for the Bayreuth Tourist Board has plenty more information.

The nearest international airport to Bayreuth is at Nuremberg and the two cities are connected by a regualr train service. It is also easily reached by car on the A9 and A70 autobahn motorways.

The Wagner Festival at Bayreuth is a pilgrimage for many followers of the renowned composer – and the productions of his works always fully vindicate their decision to attend. More details can be found at the official Bayreuth Festival website.

The Rhine in Flames is the collective name given to a series of five absolutely stunning pyrotechnical displays in the Rhine valley each summer. The events, which are spread out between May and October, draw thousands of spectators – locally and from far afield – to either watch free of charge from the banks of the river or to witness the spectacle from one of the many boats on the Rhine itself. The interplay between fire, water and light – above picturesque towns and countryside along the most beautiful stretch of probably Europe’s most romantic river – leads to unforgettably spectacular cascades of colour and noise.

The opening night of the Rhine in Flames celebrations is known as the Night of Bengal Fire and takes place at the beginning of May although the festivities last all weekend. This is the longest stretch of the Rhine in Flames celebrations – some 26 kilometres from Linz to Bonn– and it begins with the journey being illuminated by thousands of red Bengal lights, long-lasting fluorescent flares. A flotilla of some 60 or so decorated and floodlit vessels will sail down the river with a firework display in each of the towns it passes. All of these places – Linz, Remagen, Unkel, Bad Honnef, Königswinter and Bonn will have their own festivals of music and dancing (and beer drinking – this is Germany!) throughout the entire weekend.

The second night of the Rhine in Flames, the Night of Fire Magic, takes place at the beginning of July. It takes place along one of the Rhine’s most scenic stretches around the Bingen Gap. Here beautiful churches and fairy-tale castles form the backdrop to the procession. Locations as well-known as Rheinstein Castle, Klopp Castle, the Mice Tower and the iconic statue of Germania at the Niederwald Monument glow resplendently in the Bengal lights and then are cascaded with fireworks, forming amazing silhouettes in the illuminated night sky. Rüdesheim, where the procession begins, has the reputation of being one of Germany’s prettiest towns. With a weekend of party activities and seven separate firework displays, the Night of Fire Magic is enormously popular.

The third of the nights, the Procession to Koblenz is, in the eyes of many people, the most spectacular of all the nights in flames. Certainly, it was Koblenz that started the tradition, back in 1766 with a firework display to honour the Prince Elect. Now, half a million people will line the banks of the river between Spay and Koblenz, and an incredible 30,000 will journey on the river itself. Taking place in August, this is reputed to be Europe’s largest river procession with upwards of 80 Rhine steamers taking part. Castles and palaces are brought to life by the fireworks accompanying the boats, most unforgettably at the huge Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, where the Rhine and Moselle meet.

The Night of a Thousand Fires takes place along the Rhine around the town of Oberwesel and always coincides with the area’s wine festival in September. On its short journey – only 7 kilometres – the flotilla passes the legendary Loreley Rock, the deepest part of the river and its narrowest point, and the Seven Virgins rock formation. The ceremony at the end of the evening features a coordinated music and firework concert, ‘The Symphony of Fire’.

The concluding part of the Rhine in Flames celebrations is held just one week later and again centres around the romantic location of the Loreley rock. The Loreley Night features displays around Rheinfels, Katz and Maus Castles, as well as the rock where the siren Loreley lured sailors to their doom.

The length of the River Rhine that is featured in the Rhine in Flames is certainly one of the most majestic and historic stretches of the entire river. It has long been a favourite for people to travel along. Certainly, with the added spectacle of glorious pyrotechnics and weekend festivals, this would be an exciting way to discover one of Germany’s most scenic regions. Further details including confirmed dates on the (German) Rhine in Flames website.

The Christopher Street Liberation Day was actually started in New York, in 1970, the year after the historic Stonewall Riots – in which homosexuals protested against their treatment at the hands of the police – had taken place in Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. On the tenth anniversary of the riots, Berlin and Bremen became the first German countries to adopt the idea as part of its Gay Pride activities. Now, just about every significant town in Germany has its own Christopher Street Day and, in 1978, Zurich introduced the theme into Switzerland.

The cities of Berlin and Cologne have by far the biggest Christopher Street Day celebrations and, conveniently enough, have them at different weekends in the summer. Berlin follows the New York pattern of having its parade and party as near to 28th June as possible, whereas Cologne traditionally takes the first Sunday in July as the day of its parade.

The Berlin Christopher Street Day comes as the climax of a fabulous Gay Pride Festival, usually occupying three gloriously gaudy June weeks. Around half a million people will get out onto the streets to watch the incredible parade of decorated floats and pedestrian groups – setting off at midday and taking in some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The Parade traditionally ends at the Siegessäule Victory Column, Berlin’s most famous statue. This is one spectacular sight; the costumes, naturally, are as wonderfully extravagant and outrageous as the coloured wigs and painted bodies. The atmosphere is always upbeat and exciting; the music loud and techno. Berlin, of course, was the city of Cabaret, adapted from the Berlin Stories of the city’s own adopted Christopher, Christopher Isherwood, and the outlandish behaviour totally befits his memory. The celebrations are always joyfully exuberant – but restrained enough to entice many ‘straight’ families onto the streets to join in the fun; it is that kind of day!

Also in the Festival you’ll find the Pink Ballroom dancing competition for men’s and ladies’ pairs; exhibitions, discussions, films and other activities designed to raise awareness and social acceptance of gay issues in addition to making the festival a true Gay Pride event.

The Cologne Christopher Street day celebrations lose nothing in comparison with their Berlin counterparts. In recent years over 120 floats have taken part in the parade itself, with an estimated 750,000 people crammed onto the streets – compared with just 3,000 in the first ever march twenty nine years previously. The Street Festival begins on the Friday evening before the parade. At 6 pm the three main stages, in the heart of the Old City, begin their long evenings of music and comedy.

There is always a poignant end to the Saturday evening when the spectators participate in ‘Candlelight against Oblivion’, when those who have died from Aids during the previous twelve months are remembered.

Christopher Street Day Parades throughout the rest of Germany tend to be spread throughout the summer months, so that is is quite possible to take in several parades. The Zurich Parade is usually held at the end of May or beginning of June, starting on Turbinen-Platz in the trendy Zurich West area of the city.

Raising awareness and social acceptance of gay issues and celebrating the diversity of the gay community and demonstrating its determination to overcome remaining barriers, Christopher Street Day Parades – vibrant, noisy, joyful and inclusive – have an atmosphere unique to themselves.

More detailed information about the Christopher Street Day parades in Berlin and Cologne can be found at http://csd-berlin.de/en and http://www.colognepride.de/en/ respectively.

Rock am Ring and Rock im Park are considered as a single event even though they take place in different parts of Germany. In many ways they represent the German festival equivalents of Reading and Leeds in England. Two festivals in different parts of the country, they take place at the same time, over three days, and have basically the same line-ups at each venue. With over 150,000 people attending the combined events, these are not just the largest German music festivals but also amongst the biggest in the world.

Rock am Ring is held annually at the famous Nürburgring in the west of the country and Rock im Park in the vicinity of the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg, over in the south east.

The Rock am Ring festival began back in 1985 when alterations were made to the race track at the tiny village in the Eifel region of Germany. More than 75,000 people turned out that year and the organizers were therefore encouraged to make the occasion annual. The present day format of the Rock am Ring was more or less reached by 1991 – well-known international artists, up-and-coming bands and good German performers all being showcased.

It was 1993 when Rock im Park was introduced, at that time being held in Vienna, but it has been at its current venue in Nuremberg since 1997. Both festivals now can fully expect to sell out for the weekend, with anything up to 100 separate acts performing at both venues. Famous names that have been on the bill during recent years include Depeche Mode, INXS, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns and Roses, REM, Placebo, Linkin Park, White Stripes, Stereophonics, Prodigy and far too many others to mention.

Rock am Ring actually takes place within the northern ‘loop’ of the old Nürburgring race circuit – the current Formula 1 race takes place on the modernized southern loop. Nürburg village itself and the medieval castle with the same name are actually inside the racing circuit, which is about 40 miles south of Cologne and 75 miles north west of Frankfurt. Camping is available on the site itself and the Festival village, in what is actually a fairly remote German region, is famous for its atmosphere. Cologne, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt Am Main are the nearest airports but be careful – Frankfurt Hahn, used by some budget airlines, is actually 75 miles west of the city itself.

Nuremberg, of course, is a much larger city, over half a million inhabitants, with attractions outside the Rock im park Festival itself. This makes the Nuremberg venue generally easier to access for visitors from Britain. Nuremberg airport is a hub for Air Berlin and, therefore, quite busy. Additionally, by rail Munich is now only one hour away and the major A3 autobahn from Holland to Vienna and the A6 France to Prague road both pass close to the city. Nuremberg also has an excellent public transport service and the Rock im Park Festival ticket allows free travel on all the buses and trams within the city.

These linked festivals are sure to appeal to lovers of rock music with more than 100 hours of the best modern music live on stage each year. The Rock am Ring and Rock im Park Festivals take place around Pentecost each year with the official dates for each festival being announced at http://www.rock-am-ring.com/ and http://www.rock-im-park.com/ .

Dusseldorf Carnival actually takes place from November 11th until Ash Wednesday every winter – an exhausting prospect when you consider that this is one of the most effervescent parties in the whole of Germany.

In actual fact, the 11th November date – at eleven minutes past eleven, to be strictly accurate – is simply the time at which the carnival jester, Hoppeditz, announces the beginning of the Carnival at the Town Hall. After that, the carnival is mothballed until the Thursday immediately before Ash Wednesday when the traditional Altweiberfastnacht takes place. This is the occasion when the women of the city ‘storm’ the Town Hall, again at 11.11 am, to assert their authority over the men. Any man foolish enough to be wearing a tie for work that day is liable to have it cut off just below the knot. The rest of the day is devoted to a street carnival in the old town, the Altstadt.

Sunday also has its own street carnival, working its way along the main shopping street of the city, Königsallee, and the costumes now are becoming much more frequent, and very outrageous.

Monday is the occasion of the grandest of the processions, Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday, when the parade can be up to two and a half kilometres in length. The revellers will be on extravagantly decorated floats or on foot and there will be countless bands and other marchers. The atmosphere has been described as ‘German Venetian’ by one visitor. Each year, up to a million spectators – known as ‘fools’ – line the city streets, mostly shouting out the traditional ‘Helau’ and trying to catch the goodies thrown from the passing floats. The parade can take as long as five hours to pass by.

On Ash Wednesday, the Carnival’s final passions are spent in a ritual burning of an effigy of the jester, and everyone gets ready for the next year’s event.

Although the Carnival parades are the centre pieces of Dusseldorf Carnival, there are many other organised – and totally unorganised – activities taking place. The famous Wheel Beer Barrel Race, for example, first competed for in 1887, is a lot of fun – and a good excuse to drink substantial amounts of Altbier, the local brew! There are also concerts, masked balls and special happenings for children.

A more recent – but now incredibly popular – event is what the organisers refer to on the website as ‘The Homosexual Race’, Tuntenlauf, when the competitors have to race down the main street – in full costume, of course. Additionally, they have all kinds of obstacles to surmount, in various ways, before they can finish the course. It all sounds a little bit like Gay Carnival It’s a Knockout but it is hugely successful. Prizes are awarded at the Gay Ball later in the evening.

Although the Dusseldorf Carnival has been established for a long time – the first Rose Monday Parade, for example, was in 1825, it is during recent years that the event has really become popular with visitors to the town as well as with the local inhabitants.

Dusseldorf might not have the cultural history or the architecture of, say, Cologne – although it was the home of Kraftwerk so, for that reason alone deserves recognition. In a 2007 study, however, it was claimed to have the best quality of life in Germany and is the established centre of the country’s advertising and fashion industries. Both of these aspects make it a very ‘young’ city, and indeed much of the architecture reinforces that impression, although there are lovely parts of the old town close to the Rhine. There are, additionally, some fine bridges over the river, which itself offers very pleasant views of the city. The nightlife in Dusseldorf is vibrant and varied, and there is an exciting gay scene.

Transport links to Dusseldorf are first class, as befits a city at the heart of the German economy. The airport buildings are ultra-modern and over 1000 trains pass through the main station every day. Hotels and hostels are plentiful and cater for all kinds of travellers.

Dusseldorf Carnival is by no means one of the world’s most famous events. It is, however, one fantastic party in a colourful and exciting city. Check out the Carnival’s official website if you want more information.

It all started with two cars with cassette recorders driving though the streets of Berlin; but the Berlin Love Parade turned into Europe’s biggest street dance festival. Although many people think it’s been around since the sixties, in fact it was only in 1989 that German DJ Dr Motte first inaugurated his mobile, free, acid-house ‘happening’. At its absolute peak in 1999, when it was claimed that 1.5 million party-goers romped through the Berlin streets, the recent history of the event has been, to say the least, rather chequered, with Parades in 2004, 2005 and 2009 cancelled.

The Berlin Love Parade was definitely a lot louder – and more crowded – than most other street festivals. Normally starting at about 2 in the afternoon, a parade of up to fifty enormous trucks, each containing a few DJs, a troupe of dancers and water-cooled sound systems, begins to wind its way round the streets. What follows can only really be described as pure, or impure, hedonism and, sometimes, sheer debauchery. The Love Parade is infamous for the quality of its innovative and exhibitionist costumes; the amount of body paint used; and plenty of whistles, pink furry leg-warmers and glow sticks. When the Parade ended, parties and informal raves take place in the parks, streets and clubs of the city.

When the Berlin local authorities began to baulk at the amount of expense involved in the Love Parade – mainly the policing and cleaning up costs – and the Parade was cancelled for two consecutive years, an agreement was made to take the Parade ‘on the road’ for five years to the cities of the industrial Ruhr, to become known as the Love Parade Metropole Ruhr. After being in Essen for 2007, the 2008 Parade in Dortmund attracted an estimated 1.6 million people but the recession bit deeply into sponsorship for the 2009 parade.

After the 2009 cancellation organisers had planned for the 2010 and 2011 Love Parades to be held in Duisburg and then Gelsenkirchen and then take the Parade back to its spiritual home in Berlin. Unfortunately, on 24th July 2010 in Duisburg there was a crowd crush at the Love Parade which caused the death of 21 people, with at least another 500 injured. As a result the Love Festival has been permanently cancelled.

The atrocities of this accident are investigated on the Love Parade website and referred to on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Parade.