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| Official Press Newsletter of the German National Tourist Office |
New York, December 2012 |
| Germany Preview 2013 – Special Festivals and Anniversaries Take Front Row
With 2012 coming to a close, it is time to reflect, but also to look forward to the coming year. Destination Germany has had a hugely successful year already, with 3.8 million overnight stays between January and September, reflecting an increase of 3.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Overall, predictions are for an amazing 4.8 million overnight stays in 2012. Of course, we would like to continue this success in 2013 and have therefore lined up a number of themes and anniversaries to attract young and old alike to come and see Deutschland for themselves.
So please read on and happy travels!
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The Bremen town musicians © GNTB |
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Fairytales made in Germany
Once upon a time, there were two brothers who decided to publish a collection of “Children’s and Household Tales” and with that, families’ lives around the world were changed forever. This December marks the 200th anniversary of the first edition of brothers Jacob and Wilhelm “Grimm’s Fairy Tales”, and “Hansel and Gretel”, “Cinderella”, “Snow White” and their friends will be celebrated all over Germany in 2013. Travelers can create their own adventures along the German Fairytale Route which stretches 373 miles from Hanau (where the brothers were born) to Bremen (known for the “Town musicians of Bremen”), along enchanting medieval towns, bewitched castles like Sababurg, grottos and museums. » More information
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Margravial Opera house Bayreuth © Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung |
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Richard Wagner comes full circle
Richard Wagner was arguably one of the most revolutionary figures in music, dominating the development of classical music for more than a quarter-century. The cities of Bayreuthand Leipzig , where he was born, will take the lead in 2013, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, while towns nationwide will hold concerts in his honor. Highlight, as every year, will be the “Richard Wagner Festival” in Bayreuth, where Wagner himself dictated the design of the theatre in 1872. From July 25 to August 28, 2013, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus plays host to several of his operas including The Flying Dutchman and The Rhinegold. » More information
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Staircase of the Bauhaus University designed by van de Velde © Weimar GmbH |
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Henry van de Velde and German Modern Architecture
Belgian-born Henry van de Velde had a wide-ranging influence on German architecture and interior design, especially in Saxony and Thuringia, where he established the Grand-Ducal School of Arts and Crafts, the predecessor of the Bauhaus, in Weimar . 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of van de Velde’s birth and serves as a focusing point on his work, as well as the history of architecture and design in Germany. Architecture lovers can follow the Henry van de Velde route which runs all the way from Paris to Poland, offering a comprehensive overview of the work of this multi-talented artist. In Germany the route leads from from Weimar to Chemnitz , stopping at Jena , Bürgel, Gera and Lauterbach on the way. » More information
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Special Events
Jan 14 – 17
Berlin Fashion Week
In January, Berlin is entirely given over to fashion when international top designers and labels present their new collections at Berlin Fashion Week. At this fashion event which is staged twice a year buyers, professional visitors and media representatives come together at fashion shows, find out about the latest trends at trade fairs, visit exhibitions and offsite events. The showroom mile makes the latest collections, works and projects of Berlin fashion designers and international artists accessible to a broad public. www.fashion-week-berlin.com
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Semper Opera Ball © Semper Opernball e.V. |
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Feb 01
8th Semper Opera and Semper Open Air Ball Dresden
The Semper Opernball is considered the most important German ballroom event, where leading opera stars, young debutante couples and international pop stars create the rhythm of the night. Two thousand guests of the Opera and thousands of visitors outside standing on the ‘Theaterplatz’ celebrate the mixture of Classical Music, Entertainment and international Artists together. www.semperopernball.de
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Carnival in Cologne © J Rieger |
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Feb 07 – 13
Carnival in the Rhineland (Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Mainz)
For five fantastic days carnival-goers flock to this stronghold of the Rhenish carnival tradition, which is taken over by the “Jecken”. The fun and games culminate with a carnival procession at the end of which the carnival fools are cheered on by the Prince, the Peasant and the Virgin, and sweets and small bunches of flowers are thrown to the crowds.www.koelnerkarneval.de (German only)
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Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin © GNTB |
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Feb 07 – 17
63rd International Film Festival Berlin (“Berlinale”)
The Berlinale – not only the city’s largest cultural event, but also one of the most important dates on the international film industry’s calendar. More than 19,000 film professionals from 136 countries are accredited every year and with more than 270,000 tickets sold, the Berlinale enjoys by far the largest audience of any film festival in the world. For two weeks, art, glamour, parties and business meet at the Berlinale.www.berlinale.de
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| In other news
Lufthansa has now taken delivery of its fourth Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. Before the new “Queen of the Skies” enters scheduled service, final adjustments will be made to the aircraft at its home base in Frankfurt. Beginning December 10th, the new “jumbo” will fly daily from Frankfurt to Los Angeles.www.lufthansa.com
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