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IN PICTURES: Germany embraces cold snap amid warnings over icy waterways

People across Germany have been making the most of the winter weather - but emergency services have warned against walking on frozen waterways. Now the big thaw is set to come.

Published: 15 February 2021 11:23 CET
Updated: 15 February 2021 13:01 CET
IN PICTURES: Germany embraces cold snap amid warnings over icy waterways
Ice skaters are on the ice on Lake Schliersee in Bavaria on Sunday. Photo: DPA

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At the weekend lots of people got out in the blazing sunshine and bitterly cold temperatures.

In lots of areas, rivers, canals  and ponds were completely frozen over. Families, skaters and dog walkers took to the waterways – however, police have warned against people doing this as the ice can crack and cause people to fall through.

In Berlin police said the strong sun combined with water currents can cause solid ice to become brittle and unstable.

Several people collapsed through the ice at the city's Schlachtensee on Saturday, according to the fire and rescue service. They were not injured.

There were also several accidents on the river Rhine in Düsseldorf, with rescue services having to be called out.

Temperatures are set to increase above freezing on Monday and Tuesday in Germany so authorities are continuing to warn people not to walk on waterways in case they crack.

This selection of tweets, and pictures by DPA photographers across Germany, gives a snapshot of how the country looks in extreme cold winter weather.

READ ALSO: Snow and bitterly cold temperatures hit Germany

Skaters hold hands while on the Landwehrkanal in Berlin on Sunday. People also walked on the frozen river Spree in the capital. Police regularly told people to get off the ice, particularly in some parts where it was not very strong.

Numerous people on frozen water in front of Moritzburg Castle in Saxony.

A police tells a couple to get off the ice at the Alsterpark in Hamburg.

Bracing the cold snowy weather in Dresden.

Several people on frozen water at Benrath Castle in Düsseldorf.

Adults and kids out and about on Steinhude lake in the Lower Saxony sunshine.

Police used a helicopter to tell people to get off the ice at Müggelsee in Berlin as this tweet shows.

An ice hockey game in front of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig.

Families out and about on the frozen Rhine river in Düsseldorf.

Little Elise wearing a bear hat while sledging at the Deister hill in Lower Saxony.

A police offer skating while checking the surfaces at Steinhude lake in Lower Saxony.

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LIVING IN GERMANY

Inside Germany: Boozy public holidays, bilingual kids and the countdown to Euro 2024

From public holidays to getting ready for Euro 2024 and how to help children grow up in a bilingual household, here's what we're talking about in Germany this week.

Published: 4 May 2024 08:19 CEST
Inside Germany: Boozy public holidays, bilingual kids and the countdown to Euro 2024

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

A good year for public holidays (especially May) 

After the long and dark winter in Germany, it’s a relief to see more daylight and even some sun. And when spring rolls around, there’s another nice perk of living in Germany – public holidays. This season is when you get to relax, not work as much and enjoy being outside. At the end of March, we had a couple of days off for Easter and in May there are several Feiertage. 

We kicked off the month with International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, known as Tag der Arbeit in Germany. Luckily, the weather was pleasant and warm across the country as people attended demonstrations, May Day parades or relaxed in the sun. I took a turn to see the festivities in Berlin’s Kreuzberg area – a traditional spot for Tag der Arbeit gatherings – in the afternoon but was quickly stressed out by the crowds. I don’t know if the sun had gone to everyone’s head but it did seem like people were drinking more this year than usual. 

Next Thursday, May 9th, is Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) which is also a public holiday. Of course this is also Fathers’ Day or Vatertag in Germany. It’s another one where you are likely to run into a lot of drunk people. It has always amused me that it’s a tradition for men to fill a cart with booze and go hiking with their drinks in the afternoon. Next up on Monday May 20th is Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) which is another Feiertag – but maybe will be less boozy than the others. Lastly, there’s a regional holiday on Thursday May 30th for Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam) – but it’s not nationwide. 

It’s safe to say that it’s a pretty good year for public holidays in Germany since most don’t fall on the weekend. As long-time readers of The Local will know, one of my biggest bugbears about living in Germany is that we lose a holiday if the event does not fall on a week day. But never mind the holidays, who has channelled their inner German and already booked their ‘bridge days’ off?

READ ALSO: Bridge days – how to maximise your public holiday like a German 

Countdown on for the Euros in Germany

June is a busy month in Germany. Not only is the new citizenship law coming into force (on June 26th!), but the UEFA European Football Championship or Euro 2024 kicks off. A total of 24 teams are gearing up to compete in the tournament, which takes place from June 14th to July 14th. Over 22 match days, a total of 51 games will be played.

It’s quite a special occasion for me because Germany’s national team is taking on Scotland in the very first game in Munich – and I am Scottish! I’m excited for my fellow country men and women to pop over from the island (although I do hope everyone is on their best behaviour). 

A view of Group A for Euro 2024.

A view of Group A in the Euro 2024 tournament. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christian Charisius

Although I’m not a huge football fan, I do enjoy these big tournaments and the atmosphere in Germany is always fantastic. It’s usually very inclusive with screenings set up in beer gardens and even outside off-licences or Spätis as they are called in Berlin. People tend to let their guards down, mingle with strangers and enjoy the beautiful game. Of course I will be hoping that Scotland win. Who are you rooting for in the tournament?

READ ALSO: Euro 2024 – What can you expect in Germany during Europe’s biggest football frenzy?

Tips on bringing up bilingual children 

I was delighted to hear from readers about their experiences of helping raise their children in a bilingual or even multilingual environment. 

Many of the respondents to our recent survey said that parents should have trust in the German education system – and stick to their native tongue at home. 

Siniša, 44, from Hesse, who speaks Croatian and English at home, said: “Speak your native language at home. The school will ‘cover’ German and other languages.”

Steve, 55, who lives in Munich and speaks English and Spanish with his daughter, added: “Be consistent and raise your child in your native tongue. At a local school, they will learn German quickly.”

“For international parents, I think it’s very important that their children do not lose touch with their mother tongue, as it is a very special part of their identity,” said Prashanth, 42, who lives in Munich.

Read our full story for more, and don’t forget to listen to our Germany in Focus podcast where we hear from The Local Germany’s former editor Rachel Stern talk about her experience of raising her daughter Amelie, who is almost three-years-old, in a bilingual home. 

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