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FRANKFURT

What’s on in Germany: June 24 – 30

This Week's Highlights: An arts festival in Berlin-Neukölln, classical music outdoors in Düsseldorf and Harleys in Hamburg.

Published: 24 June 2010 12:18 CEST
What's on in Germany: June 24 - 30

BERLIN

Festivals

48-Hours Neukölln

Back for Round 12: the city’s largest arts festival celebrates another 48 hours straight of the most raw and original art Berlin has to offer. A whopping 1700 participants at more than 340 venues make up the festivities this year featuring dance, theatre and music performances, readings, visual art, parties and guided tours. Saturday also happens to coincide with the 650th birthday of the Rixdorf/Neukölln area: relevant exhibits are identified with the label Komplex650.

Price: Free

Location: See website for various locations in Berlin-Neukölln

Times: 25th June – 27th June, 7pm-7pm

Phone: 030 68 24 78 0

More Information: 48-Stunden Neukölln Website

Events

Shellac, Photos and Food

While you’re checking out all Neukölln has to offer you might stop by chef Suzy Fracassa’s special Fortuna’s Feast events this weekend. Mr. Wolff will play his rare collection of 78 shellac records and Berlin-based photographer from the UK, Joe Dilworth will present his recent work, Empty Spaces. And Motor FM’s, Elizabeth Rushe, host of Off the Record will provide the soundtrack for the evening after parties.

Price: na

Location: Feast, Weserstrasse 58

Times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 25-27)

Reservations: 030 627 32 538

More Information: fortunastable.de

DÜSSELDORF

Festival

Schloss Benrath Music Festival

Organisers call it a must for romantics, but this open-air concert put on by the Düsseldorf Philharmonic is sure to lure more than a few unsuspecting passers-by into its folds. Spectators can bring their own picnics and blankets to spread out on or just nab one of the seats on the palace terrace. The music of Mendelssohn and Strauss will be accompanied by some breathtaking visuals, including a dreamy view of the Benrath palace, colourfully lit trees and a grand finale of fireworks.

Price: Free

Location: Schloss Benrath, Benrather Schlossallee 100-106

Times: 26th June, 10pm

More Information: More Information: Düsseldorf Tourism Website

FRANKFURT

Festival

Parade of Cultures

An onslaught of international music and other live performances hits the streets of Frankfurt for the city’s annual Parade of Cultures. Intended to promote ethnic diversity, eradicate racism and increase awareness on the subject, the procession is flanked by a multitude of supporting elements including an international market and a hip-hop dance competition. Multicultural festivities stretch well into the night for clubbers, who can enjoy an array of internationally-themed parties spread across the city.

Price: Free

Location: From Untermainkai to Römerberg

Times: 26th June, 12pm (Untermainkai) to 2pm (Römerberg)

More Information: Frankfurt Parade of Cultures Website (German only)

HAMBURG

Festival

Hamburg Harley Days

For three whole days, more than 50,000 Harley Davidson motorcycles descend upon Hamburg’s Großmarkt for the annual Hamburg Harley Days festival. This free event is a must for any motorcycle enthusiast, with daring stunt shows, live bands and a ride-in bike show featuring an incredible selection of custom Harleys from all over the world. Celebrations culminate in a parade on Sunday when 10,000 Harleys roll through the streets of the Hamburg harbour. Smells like freedom…

Price: Free

Location: Großmarkt

Times: 25th June – 27th June, see website for varying times

More Information: Hamburg Harley Days Website

Exhibit

David Tremlett: Wall Drawings for the Gallery of Contemporary Art

Tremlett’s first German exhibition since 1992 combines elements of his work from the 1960s to today, including drawings, sketches, artist books and photographs. Though trained as a sculptor, the British-born artist creates wall drawing from pastel and crayon that draw comparisons to landscapes, floorplans or signs. Tremlett says one of the most important aspects of his work is the act of “building” something within a wall surface.

Price: €8.50 (€5 discounted)

Location: Hamburger Kunsthalle, Glockengiesserwall

Times: 25th June, 7pm (opening)

Phone: (040) 428 131 200

More Information: Hamburger Kunsthalle Website

MUNICH

Sports

BMW International Open

This year will see one of the strongest lineups in the history of the BMW International Open, with 2009 champion, Nick Dougherty of England, coming up against some stiff European competition to defend his title. The BMW International Open has grown in importance over the years, with it ranking among tournament like the PGA in monetary allure. The top ten European contenders will automatically advance to the Ryder Cup.

Price: Inquire via VIP hotline: (089) 99 92 99 99

Location: Golfclub Munich Eichenried

Times: 24th – 27th June, Public Area open from 8am

More Information: BMW International Open Website

Events

Munich Film Festival

With more than 150 international and independent films, Filmfest München rivals Berlin as Germany’s largest industry event. Mostly non-competitive, the festival serves more as an accessible forum for viewing and discussing films, with public participation highly encouraged. Since 1983, the lineup has grown to feature a broad variety of selections including premières, retrospectives, TV movies and more.

Price: €6.50-€8 (dependent on showings)

Location: Various locations through Munich

Times: 25th June – 3rd July, times vary

Phone: (089) 4 80 98 97 300 (ticket hotline)

More Information: Filmfest München Website

Munich Opera Festival

Since 1876 the Bavarian State Opera has sponsored the München Opernfestspiele, featuring weeks of non-stop opera and ballet performances at the Nationaltheater. Patrons come from far and wide to enjoy in this veritable marathon of music, dance and drama. A festival highlight is Opera for All, where the public can enjoy a free open-air concert on the adjacent Max-Joseph-Platz square.

Price: €19-€48 (varies with seating)

Location: Bayerische Staatsoper, Max-Joseph-Platz 2

Times: 24th June – 31st July

Phone: (089) 21 85 01

More Information: Munich Opera Festival

TRIER

Events

Old Town Festival

As one of the oldest cities in Germany, Trier has no trouble raking in a crowd for its annual Altstasdtfest. The past 29 celebrations have seen swaths of locals and tourists alike fill the streets of the Old Town against a dramatic backdrop of Roman ruins. Organisers are anticipating an even bigger turnout for the 30th anniversary of this historically-geared festival, which is scheduled to include live music, a gregarious ambiance, and plenty of Trierisches history – some 2000 years of it, in fact.

Price: Free

Location: Altstadt

Times: 25th-27th June, 10:30am-10pm

Phone: (0651) 718 0

More Information: Trier Altstadt Festival Website

For members

BERLIN

EXPLAINED: Berlin’s latest Covid rules

In response to rapidly rising Covid-19 infection rates, the Berlin Senate has introduced stricter rules, which came into force on Saturday, November 27th. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 27 November 2021 16:16 CET
Updated: 29 November 2021 14:17 CET
A sign in front of a waxing studio in Berlin indicates the rule of the 2G system
A sign in front of a waxing studio indicates the rule of the 2G system with access only for fully vaccinated people and those who can show proof of recovery from Covid-19 as restrictions tighten in Berlin. STEFANIE LOOS / AFP

The Senate agreed on the tougher restrictions on Tuesday, November 23rd with the goal of reducing contacts and mobility, according to State Secretary of Health Martin Matz (SPD).

He explained after the meeting that these measures should slow the increase in Covid-19 infection rates, which was important as “the situation had, unfortunately, deteriorated over the past weeks”, according to media reports.

READ ALSO: Tougher Covid measures needed to stop 100,000 more deaths, warns top German virologist

Essentially, the new rules exclude from much of public life anyone who cannot show proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19. You’ll find more details of how different sectors are affected below.

Shops
If you haven’t been vaccinated or recovered (2G – geimpft (vaccinated) or genesen (recovered)) from Covid-19, then you can only go into shops for essential supplies, i.e. food shopping in supermarkets or to drugstores and pharmacies.

Many – but not all – of the rules for shopping are the same as those passed in the neighbouring state of Brandenburg in order to avoid promoting ‘shopping tourism’ with different restrictions in different states.

Leisure
2G applies here, too, as well as the requirement to wear a mask with most places now no longer accepting a negative test for entry. Only minors are exempt from this requirement.

Sport, culture, clubs
Indoor sports halls will off-limits to anyone who hasn’t  been vaccinated or can’t show proof of recovery from Covid-19. 2G is also in force for cultural events, such as plays and concerts, where there’s also a requirement to wear a mask. 

In places where mask-wearing isn’t possible, such as dance clubs, then a negative test and social distancing are required (capacity is capped at 50 percent of the maximum).

Restaurants, bars, pubs (indoors)
You have to wear a mask in all of these places when you come in, leave or move around. You can only take your mask off while you’re sat down. 2G rules also apply here.

Hotels and other types of accommodation 
Restrictions are tougher here, too, with 2G now in force. This means that unvaccinated people can no longer get a room, even if they have a negative test.

Hairdressers
For close-contact services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, it’s up to the service providers themselves to decide whether they require customers to wear masks or a negative test.

Football matches and other large-scale events
Rules have changed here, too. From December 1st, capacity will be limited to 5,000 people plus 50 percent of the total potential stadium or arena capacity. And only those who’ve been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed in. Masks are also compulsory.

For the Olympic Stadium, this means capacity will be capped at 42,000 spectators and 16,000 for the Alte Försterei stadium. 

Transport
3G rules – ie vaccinated, recovered or a negative test – still apply on the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses in Berlin. It was not possible to tighten restrictions, Matz said, as the regulations were issued at national level.

According to the German Act on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, people have to wear a surgical mask or an FFP2 mask  on public transport.

Christmas markets
The Senate currently has no plans to cancel the capital’s Christmas markets, some of which have been open since Monday. 

According to Matz, 2G rules apply and wearing a mask is compulsory.

Schools and day-care
Pupils will still have to take Covid tests three times a week and, in classes where there are at least two children who test positive in the rapid antigen tests, then tests should be carried out daily for a week.  

Unlike in Brandenburg, there are currently no plans to move away from face-to-face teaching. The child-friendly ‘lollipop’ Covid tests will be made compulsory in day-care centres and parents will be required to confirm that the tests have been carried out. Day-care staff have to document the results.

What about vaccination centres?
Berlin wants to expand these and set up new ones, according to Matz. A new vaccination centre should open in the Ring centre at the end of the week and 50 soldiers from the German army have been helping at the vaccination centre at the Exhibition Centre each day since last week.

The capacity in the new vaccination centre in the Lindencenter in Lichtenberg is expected to be doubled. There are also additional vaccination appointments so that people can get their jabs more quickly. Currently, all appointments are fully booked well into the new year.

 

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