Germany News: Summer of Traditional and Quirky Events

Climbing in Germany Photo: German Tourist Board

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Germany’s summer of traditional and quirky events

New York, June 6, 2013 – Summer time is outdoor time. And like every year, Germany will put on a magnitude of events for both locals and visitors to enjoy amidst the sunshine. Here is a sample of some well-known and some lesser known highlights.

Sails galore in Kiel and Rostock

As every year, sails will be set at the end of June in the city of Kiel at what is known as “Kieler Woche”, the largest sailing event in the world. Kiel Week usually gathers around 5,000 sailors, 2,000 ships, and about three million visitors each year. While the event started out as a ship racing championship, it has long since become one of Germany’s largest festivals with many popular bands playing on public stages. For 2013, the nine-day program from June 22-30, consists of over 2,000 activities including sailing events and 400 races on eleven courses. A somewhat smaller version of the Kiel Week is the annual Hanse Sail in Rostock. Held during the second week in August (8-11, 2013) it attracts about 250 traditional sailing ships from a vast variety of countries. http://www.kieler-woche.de/, http://www.hansesail.com/

Night of the Palaces in Potsdam

Baroque splendour in a romantic setting: on August 17, 2013 the world of the 18th century Prussian kings will be brought back to life in the palaces and parks of Potsdam. Now in its 15th year, the Night of the Palaces offers a program of concerts, theater, dance and literature at Potsdam’s UNESCO World Heritage palaces and parks. Between the orangery, New Palace and Roman baths, the 33,000 visitors can marvel at all the costumes and masks from bygone times, as more than 400 actors and performers bring to life the lavish world of the 18th century in Brandenburg. The historical venues host numerous music highlights including a performance by acclaimed soul singer Jocelyn B. Smith. To conclude the evening, a spectacular firework display lights up the sky above the New Palace. www.schloessernacht-2010.de/home_en.html

Duhnen Mudflat Races: historical horseracing by the North Sea

On August 18, 2013 over 150 horses and jockeys will be battling it out for victory at the 111th Duhnen Mudflat Races. A total of twelve horse and trotter races are held on a 1.2-kilometre course on the mudflats exposed by the tides of the Wadden Sea. The dyke near Cuxhaven serves as a grandstand for around 30,000 spectators. There is also a great atmosphere away from the races with music and entertainment while skydivers and stunt pilots entertain visitors from the skies. The Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, a stunning backdrop for the event, is a habitat for many species of plants and animals. These include seals and porpoises that visitors can spot during a boat trip or on a walk across the mudflats. www.duhner-wattrennen.de

Vintage Volkswagens in the Weserbergland hills

The VW Beetle has been a common sight on Germany’s roads and autobahns for decades. It is now making a welcome return for the 6th international Vintage Volkswagen Show. From June 21 -23, 2013 over 40,000 fans of this iconic car will be meeting in Hessisch Oldendorf in the Weserbergland hills to admire original and often unusual models of the much-loved Beetle. Other VW legends will also be represented at the event, such as the VW camper van and the Karmann Ghia type 34 sports car from the 1960s. The show, which takes place every four years, has already received registrations for more than 800 classic cars. Even enthusiasts from New Zealand will be presenting their prized VWs at the event. The Lower Saxony town with its pretty half-timbered houses is also hosting a ‘schwimmwagen tour’ in the river Weser featuring Volkswagen’s amphibious off-roaders. www.uraltkaefer.de

About the GNTB

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is based in Frankfurt am Main. It works on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology from which it receives its funding under a resolution passed by the German parliament. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to enhance the positive image of German travel destinations abroad and to promote tourism to Germany. To fulfill its remit, the GNTB operates 30 foreign representative offices around the world. Further information is available from our online press center at www.germany.travel/presse

Wibke Carter

Public Relations Manager North America

German National Tourist Office

122 East 42^nd Street, Suite 2000

New York, New York 10168-0072

+1 212-661-7200 ext. 223 or 212-661-7175

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