Page 48 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

46  INTRODUCING GERM AN Y GERM AN Y THROUGH THE Y EAR  47

Fastnacht, also known as
Autumn
Fasnet, Fasching or Karneval
Autumn is an extremely popular (Shrovetide). Carnival is
time for tourism in Germany, celebrated enthusiastically
especially September and early in virtually every region
October when many cities, of Germany. The most
including Berlin and Munich, interesting events are held in
organize cultural events and the Rhine Valley, and particularly
important festivals. The autumn in Cologne. Karneval am Rhein,
is also the time when the most which marks the lasts three
significant trade fairs and great days of the Carnival, begins
sporting events take place. on the Thursday of the week
At this time, also, conditions before Ash Wednesday with
in the mountains and country­ a women’s parade, known
side continue to be ideal for as Weiberfastnacht. On the
outdoor activities such as Monday there is a superb
walking and cycling. costume parade, known as
Rosenmontagsumzug.
Pumpkin race during Dorffest
September
Berlinale – the grand festival of world cinema
Musikfest Berlin. The Musikfest parade through the city’s Frankfurter Buchmesse
features some of the best streets. Ceremonial removal (2nd week in October) Frankfurt Winter of the month until Christmas
orchestras in the world, with of the bung from a new barrel am Main. The world’s largest Eve. The most beautiful are in
performances in concert halls of beer that has been brewed book fair, which attracts December is synonymous with Baden-Württemberg and in
across the city. for the festival. publishers from around the Christmas festivities. Every city Bavaria, while the most
Beethovenfestival, Bonn. Plärrer (May and September) world and also features talks has fairs where you can buy renowned is held in Nuremberg.
A musical festival celebrating the Augsburg. Two­week festival by authors. Christmas-tree decorations, Christmas (25/26 December).
works of Beethoven in the city held twice a year, considered Freimarkt (mid-October) delicacies and presents. In Traditionally celebrated through-
where he was born. one of the most important Bremen. Two­week folk festival December, shops have longer out Germany. A Christmas tree is
Heilbronner Herbst (1st in Swabia. beginning with a procession. opening hours and the skiing considered essential, together Costumed revellers on the streets of
Saturday) Heilbronn. Popular Dorffest im Spreewald Liszt-Tage Weimar. Celebration season begins in the Alps. with presents and delicacies. Cologne during Carnival
wine festival, which also includes (end of September) Lehde. of the life and work of Franz January and February are a time New Year’s Eve (31 December).
parades and firework displays. Folk festival. Liszt, with concerts at which for parties and balls (the Carnival The New Year is celebrated at Public Holidays
Berlin-Marathon (mid-late Cannstatter Wasen (end world­class musicians are season), with enjoyment balls, opera galas, in restaurants,
September) Berlin. Marathon September/beginning October) invited to perform. reaching a peak in the last few clubs, private houses and in the Neujahr New Year (1 Jan).
through the streets of the city Stuttgart. The second largest Colmansfest (2nd Sunday) days of the season. Then the fun streets and squares of city centres. Hl. Dreikönige Three Kings
centre, taking in several notable beer festival in the world. Schwangau. Religious festival continues all weekend from Four Ski Jumps Tournament (6 Jan: Bavaria, Baden-
landmarks, with runners in featuring hundreds of horses Thursday, reaching a height on (early December–January). Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt).
various age groups and the and decorated carriages. Rosenmontag then diminishing Renowned tournament for ski- Karfreitag Good Friday.
participation of the disabled October Kasseler Musiktage (end on the last Tuesday of Carnival. jumping held annually in Ostern Easter.
in wheelchairs. Tag der Deutschen Einheit of October) Kassel. One of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Maifeiertag/Tag der Arbeit
Oktoberfest (last two weeks of (3 October). National holiday, Europe’s longest­established December Labour Day.
September) Munich. World­ established after re­unification. classical music festivals. Christi Himmelfahrt Ascension.
famous beer festival held over Celebrated with concerts, Christkindelsmarkt and January Pfingsten Pentecost.
16 days, beginning with a parades and meetings. Weihnachtsmarkt. Christmas Sechs-Tage-Rennen (early to
November Fronleichnam Corpus Christi
fairs are held from the beginning mid-January) Berlin. Spectacular
Weinfest (1st weekend in cycle races with associated (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg,
Hesse, North Rhine Valley-
November) Cochem. Festival events, held in Berlin Westphalia, Rhine Valley-
celebrating the removal of Velodrome. Palatinate and Saar).
the bung from the first barrel Grüne Woche (3rd week) Berlin. Mariä Himmelfahrt
of young Mosel wine. International trade fairs dedicated Assumption of the Blessed
Martinsfest (11 November). to agriculture, animal breeding Virgin Mary
St Martin’s Day is celebrated and the food processing industry. (15 Aug: Bavaria, Saar).
in northern Baden and the Producers from all over the world Nationalfeiertag
Rhineland with fairs and offer specialities from their own Reunification of Germany Day
the essential roast goose. national cuisines. (3 Oct).
In the Rhine Valley, it Allerheiligen All Saints
signi fies the beginning February (1 Nov: Bavaria, Baden-
of the Carnival season. Württemberg, North Rhine
Internationales Filmfestival Berlinale–Internationale Valley-Westphalia, Rhine
(2nd week in November) Filmfestspiele (2nd and 3rd Valley-Palatinate).
Mannheim­Heidelberg. Annual weeks) Berlin. International Weihnachten Christmas
festival of short, documentary The famous Christmas market in the city film festival in which major (25/26 Dec).
The International Book Fair in Frankfurt am Main and educational films. of Nuremberg stars participate.

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