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LIVING IN GERMANY

Living in Germany: Cheap transport, Elon’s ‘Berghain reaction’ and May traditions

In our weekend roundup for Germany we look at a story our readers have been enjoying this week, the most extreme reaction to (allegedly) not getting into Berghain and May Day traditions.

Published: 30 April 2022 18:55 CEST
Cherry blossom trees line a street in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony.
Cherry blossom trees line a street in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Stefan Jaitner

Will you opt for Germany’s cheaper transport ticket?

One of the biggest stories our readers have been interested in this week is the introduction of the €9 monthly transport ticket and how it will work. Yes, that’s right – Germany is reducing the cost of public transport massively for three months over summer. From June, people will be able to use the special ticket which costs €9 per calendar month – €27 in total. Given that monthly tickets for travel can cost anywhere between €70 and €100 depending on where you live in Germany, it’s a massive reduction. The measure is part of the energy relief package which should ease the pain of inflation made worse by Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as lure people away from their cars. But there are some worries about overcrowding, and it won’t benefit people who live in rural or less well connected areas. Will you be using the ticket? And do you think it should stick around after three months? Or is it a waste of money?

Tweet of the week

After billionaire Elon Musk struck a deal to buy Twitter, lots of social media users joked that this was a reaction to being turned away from Berlin’s legendary Berghain nightclub. On a recent visit to Berlin, Musk seemed to suggest that he refused to enter the club… but many speculated that he failed to get past the bouncers or couldn’t deal with the notoriously long queue. There is no special treatment when it comes to Berghain!

Where is this?

Photo: DPA/Daniel Löb

Many Germans, including in Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, like to celebrate May Day with a Maibaum (May tree) which is similar to the maypole of European folk fest traditions. It’s no wonder then that Nuremberg has a fun-themed Maibaum for their spring festival. Pictured here on April 16th, the Bayern Tower, a 90-metre high chain carousel, is known as the “highest maypole in the world”. One for the brave people who are not scared of heights!

Did you know?

May 1st is a significant day on the German calendar. Tag der Arbeit (International Workers’ Day) sees marches and demos calling for improved workers’ rights. There are also often riots against the police that take place in some areas, such as Berlin’s Kreuzberg and Neukölln districts. Banks and shops still board up their windows to avoid damage during the riots. 

There’s also the Maibaum tradition that we mentioned above. In some communities across Germany, a tree (or pole) is decorated with colourful streamers and flowers. Apparently towns try to steal each other’s May trees. It’s all part of the fun. 

Dancing in the new month (Tanz in den Mai) is also a favourite of Germans, particularly young people. You’ll find the odd Maifest (May festival) taking place with music and entertainment.  If you’re into witchcraft and fantasy then there is Walpurgisnacht or Hexennacht (Witches’ Night), which runs overnight from April 30th to May 1st. Germanic folklore says witches would meet on the peak of Brocken in the Harz mountains to revel with the Devil. Women in the Harz area (and beyond) still dress up, get their dancing shoes on and pull some moves to this day. 

Thanks for reading,

Rachel and Imogen @ The Local Germany 

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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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