Germans to go green for St. Patrick’s Day

In Germany, people are planning numerous events to celebrate all things Irish on Sunday.

In Munich, a parade will kick off at noon from Münchner Freiheit square, and snake its way around the city, finally ending up at Odeonsplatz. The parade will be followed by the blessing of a shamrock and an after party featuring traditional Irish dancing and the Munich céilí band.

Festivities in Berlin have already kicked off, beginning on Wednesday with an Irish whiskey tasting session, which included a presentation on the history of the popular beverage.

The capital is also organizing its own parade for Sunday, which will set off from Oranienplatz in Kreuzberg at 2 pm and end up at the same place about an hour and a half later.

The famous television tower on Alexanderplatz will be lit up green for the second year in a row. It’s part of Tourism Ireland’s “Global Greening” action, which also sees the Sydney Opera House, Niagra Falls, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Empire State Building turn green.

Ireland’s history of emigration has resulted in a large knowledge and interest in its history and culture from abroad.

The Irish government and the national tourist agency, Fáilte Ireland hope to capitalize on the large Irish diaspora scattered abroad by organizing “The Gathering,” an initiative to encourage those with Irish roots to return home for grassroots events throughout 2013.

The Local/kkf