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6 events from around Germany you can’t miss in September 2017

There are a slew of varied events taking place all across the country this month that you have to put in your diary.

Published: 1 September 2017 16:25 CEST
6 events from around Germany you can’t miss in September 2017
Visitors at Rhine in Flames in May. Photo: DPA.

1. Holi Festival of Colours, Leverkusen (September 9th)

Grab your paint powder and an old T-shirt to join crowds of revellers surrounded by a cloud of rainbow-coloured mist in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia.

Originating in northern India, Holi Festival was initially celebrated to herald the arrival of spring and to praise the victory of good over evil.

Today it is widely celebrated in cities all over the world where thousands of people gather to bust out their best moves and throw paint at people.

And since the Holi festival in Hamburg on September 2nd and the one in Munich on September 3rd are both sold out, your last chance to get colourful with paint is in Leverkusen next weekend.

Why wouldn’t you want to throw colours at people whilst jamming to bands such as Die Atzen and Izzy Trixx? Live music will be spinning from noon until 10pm.  

2. Interboot, Friedrichshafen (September 23rd – October 1st)

For boaters, all-around water sport enthusiasts or just about anyone interested in making a splash, Interboot is a unique event in Germany you'll just need to see for yourself.

The nine-day-long event features exhibitors showcasing boats, innovative water sports concepts as well as interactive chances to get your feet wet.

Around 100 motor and sailboats directly at the Friedrichshafen harbour on Lake Constance will be available for a test ride.

The wakeboard competition at Interboot in 2016. Photo: DPA.

There will also be activities on offer such as stand-up paddle boarding and wakeboarding. The less adventurous can look forward to watching other thrillseekers perform tricks in a wakeboard competition.

In its 56th edition this year, Interboot attracted a whopping 90,500 visitors last year. Not too shabby for an exhibition that goes all the way back to 1962.

3. British Flair and Country Fair, Krefeld (September 8th – September 10th)

We were just as surprised as you might have been to find out that an event dedicated to all things British existed in Germany.

On the second weekend of September, visitors interested in taking part in the British way of life may do so at the British Flair and Country Fair located at one of the oldest castles on the Lower Rhine – Linn Castle in Krefeld.

Top attractions include a presentation of the popular “Dinner for One” stage sketch, sheepdog demonstrations, wellie (rubber boot) flinging activities as well as Scottish folk music entertainment.

Foodies will be delighted to know that there’ll also be an expansive open-air shopping area where one can try out different kinds of single malt whiskies and eat fish and chips and fudge.

4. Rhine in Flames, Rhineland Palatinate (September 9th and 16th)

Prepare to be amazed as the sky explodes into glorious colour, when amazing fireworks cast a beautiful glow over the Rhine river and surrounding landmarks.

Meanwhile, a flotilla of 50 illuminated boats will cruise serenely down the river, creating stunning reflections on the water.

The Rhine will go up in flames of fireworks on September 9th in Oberwesel and on the 16th in the towns of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen.

Rhine in Flames in 2016. Photo: DPA.

The spectacle has been a tradition at the feet of the Loreley cliff by St. Goarshausen and the nearby romantic Rheinfels castle for over 60 years.

Accompanying the fireworks, there will be live music and a wine festival – what's not to love?

5. Sculpture Projects 2017, Münster (June 10th – October 1st)

On only until 1st October, this month will be your last chance to catch a glimpse of the installations, sculptures and performances dotted across the university town of Münster at the city’s famed yet very rare Sculpture Projects art exhibition.

Only once every decade are artists from all over the world able to showcase their works in the city. The first edition took place in 1977 and since then, every ten years the exhibition has gotten bigger and better.

Ayse Erkmen's art installation entitled “On Water” in Münster. Photo: Shelley Pascual

READ MORE: Introducing the Münster art exhibition that’s rare than a solar eclipse

This year, 35 radical works create something like an outdoor sculptural playground suitable for adults and children alike. What’s more, entrance is free.

Ayse Erkmen's “On Water” is one installation you won’t want to miss. Erkmen set up a bridge that connects two sides of Münster's Dortmund-Ems canal so that visitors can try their hand at crossing it and while they're at it, appear to be walking on water.

6. 44th BMW Berlin Marathon, Berlin (September 24th)

40,000 runners from 100 different nations will race through the German capital for the 44th BMW Berlin Marathon later this month – a sight to truly behold.

The 43rd BMW Berlin Marathon in 2016. Photo: DPA.

Besides, one of the most versatile male long distance runners in history will be there, according to Running Magazine.

Kenenisa Bekele, who was also the winner of the 2016 Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:03:03, was recently added to this year’s list. 

The athletes will take on 42 kilometres in this annual sporting event.

While the starting places have long been taken by professionals and amateurs alike, it's not too late for you to cheer for the contestants among a crowd of over one million people and turn this sports day into a party.

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: Battles over Bürgergeld, rolling the ‘die’ and carnival lingo

From the push to reform long-term unemployment benefits to the lingo you need to know as Carnival season kicks off, we look at the highlights of life in Germany.

Published: 14 November 2022 09:54 CET
Living in Germany: Battles over Bürgergeld, rolling the 'die' and carnival lingo

Deadlock looms as debates over Bürgergeld heat up 

Following a vote in the Bundestag on Thursday, the government’s planned reforms to long-term unemployment benefits are one step closer to becoming reality. Replacing the controversial Hartz IV system, Bürgergeld (or Citizens’ Allowance) is intended to be a fair bit easier on claimants.

Not only will the monthly payment be raised from €449 to €502, but jobseekers will also be given a grace period of two years before checks are carried out on the size of their apartment or savings of up to €60,000. The system will also move away from sanctions with a so-called “trust period” of six months, during which benefits won’t be docked at all – except in very extreme circumstances. 

Speaking in parliament, Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) said the spirit of the new system was “solidarity, trust and encouragement” and praised the fact that Bürgergeld would help people get back into the job market with funding for training and education. But not everyone is happy about the changes. In particular, politicians from the opposition CDU/CSU parties have responded with outrage at the move away from sanctions.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz has even branded the system a step towards “unconditional Basic Income” and argued that nobody will be incentivised to return to work. 

The CDU and CSU are now threatening to block the Bürgergeld legislation when it’s put to a vote in the Bundesrat on Monday. With the conservatives controlling most of the federal states – and thus most of the seats in the upper house – things could get interesting. Be sure to keep an eye out for our coverage in the coming weeks to see how the saga unfolds. 

Tweet of the week

When you first start learning German, picking the right article to use can truly be a roll of the “die” – so we’re entirely on board with this slightly unconventional way to decide whether you’re in a “der”, “die”, or “das” situation. (Warning: this may not improve your German.) 

Where is this?

Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Boris Roessler

Residents of Frankfurt am Main and the surrounding area will no doubt recognise this as the charming town of Kronberg, which is nestled at the foot of the Taunus mountains.

This atmospheric scene was snapped on Friday morning, when a drop in temperatures saw Kronberg and surrounding forests shrouded in autumnal fog.

After a decidedly warm start to November, the mercury is expected to drop into single digits over the weekend. 

Did you know?

November 11th marked the start of carnival season in Germany. But did you know that there’s a whole set of lingo to go along with the tradition? And it all depends on where you are. First of all, the celebration isn’t called the same thing everywhere. In the Rhineland, it’s usually called Karneval, while people in Bavaria or Saxony tend to call it Fasching. Those in Hesse and Saarland usually call it Fastnacht. 

And depending on where you are, there are different things to shout. The ‘fools call’ you’ll hear in Cologne is “Alaaf!” If you move away from Cologne, you’ll hear “Helau!” This is the traditional cry in the carnival strongholds of Düsseldorf and Mainz, as well as in some other German cities.

In the Swabian-Alemannic language region in the southwest of the country, people yell “Narri-Narro”, which means “I’m a fool, you’re a fool”. In Saarland at the French border, they shout “Alleh hopp!”, which is said to originate from the French language. 

Lastly, if someone offers you a Fastnachtskrapfe, say yes because it’s a jelly-filled carnival donut. And if you’re offered a Bützchen? It’s your call, but know that it’s a little kiss given to strangers!

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