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| Official Press Newsletter of the German National Tourist Office |
New York, March 2013 |
| This year, the music and theater world will turn their focus to Richard Wagner as 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of his birth and the 130th anniversary of his death. In Germany, the Wagner Year celebrations are centered around the towns of Leipzig, where he was born, and Bayreuth, which is most closely associated with his work, as well as the Bayreuth Festival, that he founded. Richard Wagner is regarded as one of Germany’s greatest composers and concerts will be performed nationwide in his honor.Join us on this musical journey and happy travels!
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Richard Wagner monument © Leipzig Tourism Marketing |
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Wagner’s childhood in Leipzig
World famous composer Richard Wagner was born on May 22, 1813 in Leipzig as the ninth child of the Wagner family. Although the family moved to Dresden only three years later, his influence has continued to shape the city’s musical character ever since. Many of the places where young Wagner lived and played, such as Königshaus in the market square No. 17 or St. Thomas Church, can still be seen in the city. The Wagner Festival has been held in Leipzig every year since 2006 and this year many institutions will be contributing with an exciting and diverse program of music, dance and artistic performances as well as extensive exhibitions from May 16-26, 2013. » More information
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Inside of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus © Bayreuth Tourism |
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Peak period in Bayreuth
The Bayreuth Festival is one of the most famous music events in the world and every summer only Richard Wagner‘s dramas are performed there. The composer himself conceived and promoted the idea of a special festival to showcase his works, and it was in 1876 that it opened with three performances of the complete Ring Cycle. Wagner personally supervised the design and construction of theBayreuth Festspielhaus. It contained many architectural innovations to accommodate huge orchestras and was funded principally by Ludwig II of Bavaria , a great admirer of the composer. Creative directorship has remained in the Wagner family for generations and this year’s festival will be staged from July 25 – August 28, 2013. » More information
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Art by Olafur Eliasson © Lenbachhaus Munich |
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Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus Reopens
After four years of refurbishment, the world’s largest collection of Blue Rider works will return to the Munich art museum on May 8, 2013. The Lenbachhaus has been completely overhauled and famous works by Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, Franz Marc, August Macke and Paul Klee will again be on show in Bavaria ’s capital. In spring 2009, star architect Sir Norman Foster – well known for his design of the Berlin Reichstag building – began work on the Lenbachhaus. From late spring, the works of this legendary group of artists will be exhibited in the entire second story of the museum for the first time. Other artistic highlights at the Lenbachhaus include works by artists like Gerhard Richter and Joseph Beuys. » More information (German only)
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Cycling in Germany © ADFC e.V. |
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Cycling from Berlin to Copenhagen
Two pulsating European metropolises, 391 miles by bike and a short sea voyage across the Baltic – the internationalBerlin-Copenhagen cycle route links the German and Danish capitals. The journey, which takes around two weeks and covers mainly flat terrain, offers cycling off the beaten track along lakelands, islands, steep cliff and unspoilt beaches. The route begins on Schlossplatz square in Berlinbefore entering the tranquil Brandenburg region . Following the Havel River, Oranienburg and Fürstenberg/Havel are excellent places to stop. The Mecklenburg Lakes provide a great place to cool off before riders head for Rostock where the ferry across to Denmark departs. Here the cycle route follows the steep coast to Copenhagen, where the Little Mermaid awaits.
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© Tourism Marketing Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania |
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400 million mark finally reached
For the first time, Destination Germany reached the 400 million mark, with excellent growth in the volume of overnight stays by international visitors providing much of the momentum. In 2012 the German Federal Statistical Office recorded 338.43 million domestic overnight stays and 68.83 million overnight stays by visitors from abroad in accommodations with more than ten beds resulting in 407.26 million overnight stays overall. The US market also keeps going from strength to strength. A total of 4.85 million overnight stays by US visitors were recorded in 2012, up 4.2 per cent on the previous year. » More information
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Contact
German National Tourist Office
Wibke Carter
Public Relations Manager North America
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000
New York, New York 10168-0072
Phone: +1 212 661 7175
Fax: +1 212 661 7174
wibke.carter@germany.travel
www.germany.travel
Pictures in the newsletter are available free of charge and publication is permitted for media coverage about the travel destination Germany only. Please state the photographer and picture source with every publication.
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Maralyn D. Hill, The Epicurean Explorer
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)
Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President
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