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Seven unmissable events in Germany in June 2019

From asparagus festivals to open-air music extravaganzas, here are our picks for the top events in June.

Published: 5 June 2019 08:44 CEST
Updated: 8 June 2019 09:19 CEST
Seven unmissable events in Germany in June 2019
Schwerin's impressive castle lit up during the 2018 Schlossfest. Photo: DPA

Asparagus Festival, Beelitz, May 31st-June 2nd

Beelitz's 2019 Asparagus Princess Kristin Reich presents the first harvest of 'Spargel' of the season. Photo: DPA

Beelitz may only be a small town in Brandenburg with a population of just over 11,000. But it’s known across the Bundesrepublik as a core grower and supplier of Spargel (asparagus), that beloved vegetable that has whole menus devoted to it during the Spargelzeit.

As the season comes to an end in June, the Spargelstadt hosts a huge family-friendly festival complete with cook-offs, dancing and music and, yes, a giant Spargelman walking around to greet visitors.

Jazz Rally, Düsseldorf, June 6th-9th

Jazz musician and composer Klaus Doldinger poses at Düsseldorf's 2014 Jazz Rally. Photo: DPA

If you’re a jazz fan, you won’t want to miss Germany’s largest jazz festival, now in its 26th year. A full 68 artists by the likes of guitarist Nik West and swing saxophonist Harry Allen will be showing off their talent on 29 stages at diverse locations around the city, from cozy bookstores to historic buildings.

Thursday’s opening event, in which the Dominic Galea Quartet takes to the stage, will take place in the Düsseldorf’s stunning Rathaus, which dates back to the 16th century.

Schwerin Schlossfest, Schwerin, June 14-16th

People in period costumes took to the streets of Schwerin in the 2013 Schlossfest. Photo: DPA

The picturesque northeast German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania tends to be underappreciated by tourists. But June is the perfect time to pay a visit to its capital, which is hosting a classy costumed festival in and around its impressive castle, often dubbed the “Neuschwanstein of the North.”

Visitors, many of which come decked out in period costume from the 19th century, can partake in a range of activities, such as an arts and crafts fair, a light and laser music festival at the foot of the castle and of course the yearly crowning of the “king and queen.”

Strawberry Festival, Hamburg, June 15th and 16th

Women in Hamburg eating the summery treat along the harbour. Photo: DPA

Just like with asparagus, Germans go crazy over Erdbeeren when the summer season arrives. Several cities across the country fill with red strawberry-shaped stands or hold festivals devoted to the sweet treat.

But few are in as idyllic of a setting as Hamburg’s Rieck Open Air Museum, where visitors can watch traditional costume dances and taste a range of regional products, especially those with strawberries.

Féte de la Musique, Berlin, June 21st

Music lovers fill Mauerpark during one Fête in 2012. Photo: DPA

Having taken place each year since 1995, the free live music festival Fête de la Musique presents over 100 artists ranging from experimental percussionists to chamber musicians  in all corners of the capital.

No Fête would be complete without its core celebration in Mauerpark. Here, jam sessions will take place against a graffiti-sprayed backdrop. The celebrations officially end at 10pm but after-parties stretching into the wee hours of the morning make it a distinctly Berlin festival.

Kiel Week, Kiel, June 22-30th

Kiel Week in June 2018. Photo: DPA

Not only is Kiel Week the largest sailing event in the world, with over 2,000 types of boats, ships and sailboards taking part, it's also a sprawling open air festival that annually attracts some three million visitors from Germany and abroad.

What started out as a sailing festival in the state of Schleswig-Holstein's picturesque capital is now the biggest summer festival in northern Europe, replete with several stages of live music, stand-up comedy and an international food festival.

From rooftops to street corners across various neighbourhoods in Berlin, the city comes alive with the sound of music to mark the first day of summer on Thursday, June 21st.

Elbhangsfest, Dresden, June 28th-30th

The Weinbergkirche in Pillnitz, one of the idyllic stops on the Elbhangfest's seven km stretch. Photo: DPA

There are few places as picturesque to ring in the first days of summer as along the Elbe River, which flows through Dresden, and its surroundings. Over 700 events are taking place along a seven kilometre stretch, which also goes through the surrounding villages of Loschwitz, Wachwitz and Pillnitz.

The event kicks off with a fun opening day parade, and each day is filled with music, regional food and tours of local architectural gems, such as the Weinbergkirche in Pillnitz.

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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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