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From Anti-Valentine’s to Black Pride celebrations: 7 events not to miss in February 2019

Whether watching epic films, riding in a hot air balloon, or dancing samba by the sea, there's a lot in store in February 2019.

Published: 1 February 2019 17:12 CET
Updated: 8 February 2019 13:46 CET
From Anti-Valentine's to Black Pride celebrations: 7 events not to miss in February 2019
An enthusiastic host welcomes guests to the Bremen Carnival, held every year in February. PhotoL DPA

Montgolfiade Balloon Festival

If you fancy floating in the air, high above panoramic views of picturesque views of the Bavarian Alps, then this balloon riding festival is for you. But if you’d rather watch the fun from the ground level with a warm beverage in hand, the festival – which takes place over the weekend of February 1st-3rd – also includes a giant food market. It features regional products, a nightly laser show, and an evening music programme ranging from soulful jazz to techno.

Photo: DPA

Black Pride Month in Germany

Germany counts itself among the many countries which celebrate Black History Month every February. The NGO Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (Black People in Germany) organizes events from around the country to celebrate the history of black people in Germany. In Berlin all through February the cultural centre Werkstatt der Kulturen will be hosting concerts such as “Afro Cuban Jazz of the Diaspora”, film screenings and parties with people from a range of fields, such as journalists, philosophers and civil rights activists.

Learn about Bauhaus’ impact on American architecture

The year 2019 marks 100 years since Bauhaus, a revolutionary school of design and architecture, was founded. As part of a whopping 700 events taking place over the year, the Museum for Art and Culture in Münster is hosting an exhibit on the impact that the quintessentially German concept had on America. Throughout February, daily museum tours of an exhibition on the topic will take place and, on the evening February 7th, it will welcome art historian and leading Bauhaus expert Dr. Sigrid Pawelke to give a photo-filled presentation elaborating even further.

One of Bauhaus' famous designs: the spiral staircase at the Bauhaus University in Weimar. Photo: DPA

SEE ALSO: How Bauhaus designed the world as we know it

Berlin International Film Festival

Also known worldwide as the Berlinale, this is the premiere festival for anyone who’s anyone in the world of film – or just if you’re a fan of films ranging from indies to budding blockbusters from around the world. This year’s star-studded line-up will be judged by French star Juliette Binoche, and take place from February 7-17th. The German films this year include 303, a coming-of-age adventure movie about a road-trip across Western Europe, and 8 Days, which focuses on the last minute struggles of Berlin family in the eight days before an astroid hits Earth.

SEE ALSO: Star-studded line-up unveiled for this year’s Berlinale Film Fest

Classical concert at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie

There are few ways more romantic to spend Valentine’s Day on February 14th than listening to some heartfelt classical compositions from world-renowned pianist Daniel Triifonov. The talented musician will perform compositions from German masters by the likes of Beethoven and Schumann in the Grosser Saal of Hamburg’s impressive Elbphilharmonie – known for its unconventional set-up in which the performer plays in the centre as their audience. If you don’t snag tickets in time (concerts have a 99% sell-out rate), you can visit the events calendar on the “Elphi”’s website.

VIDEO: How Hamburg's laughing stock became its crown jewel

 

Cold weather doesn't stop spectators at the spectacular Elbphilharmonie. Photo: DPA

Be my Valentine, or not, in Berlin

Valentine’s Day is the official day of love – or overpriced chocolates and mass consumerism if you take a more cynical viewpoint. Thus it comes as little surprise that ever-counterculture Berlin is hosting a few “Anti-Valentine Day” events such an empowering “Take Back V’Day” indoor bike ride co-hosted by fitness collective Double Shot followed by wine and goodies at the ride.bln bike studio at 6 pm on February 16th. If you’re still energized into the night, the Friedrichshain club Polygon is hosting an Anti-V'day dance party for singles (at least as the evening begins) well into the a.m.

Celebrate Carnival in the Cold

Photo: DPA

February might not be the time of year you think of celebrating in a colourful carnival outside. But that doesn’t stop brave Bremeners – nor the 40,000 guests who trickle in from all around Europe – from adding some life to the dreary winter with the 34th annual Bremen Carnival on February 22-23. The fun festival in the Hanseatic city’s centre features Samba dancing mask-clad performers, a light show and parade, and a special children’s carnival.

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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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