Page 49 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

GERM AN Y THROUGH THE Y EAR  47

Fastnacht, also known as
Fasnet, Fasching or Karneval
(Shrovetide). Carnival is
celebrated enthusiastically
in virtually every region
of Germany. The most
interesting events are held in
the Rhine Valley, and particularly
in Cologne. Karneval am Rhein,
which marks the lasts three
days of the Carnival, begins
on the Thursday of the week
before Ash Wednesday with
a women’s parade, known
as Weiberfastnacht. On the
Monday there is a superb
costume parade, known as
Rosenmontagsumzug.
Berlinale – the grand festival of world cinema
of the month until Christmas
Winter Eve. The most beautiful are in
December is synonymous with Baden-Württemberg and in
Christmas festivities. Every city Bavaria, while the most
has fairs where you can buy renowned is held in Nuremberg.
Christmas-tree decorations, Christmas (25/26 December).
delicacies and presents. In Traditionally celebrated through-
December, shops have longer out Germany. A Christmas tree is
opening hours and the skiing considered essential, together Costumed revellers on the streets of
season begins in the Alps. with presents and delicacies. Cologne during Carnival
January and February are a time New Year’s Eve (31 December).
for parties and balls (the Carnival The New Year is celebrated at Public Holidays
season), with enjoyment balls, opera galas, in restaurants,
reaching a peak in the last few clubs, private houses and in the Neujahr New Year (1 Jan).
days of the season. Then the fun streets and squares of city centres. Hl. Dreikönige Three Kings
continues all weekend from Four Ski Jumps Tournament (6 Jan: Bavaria, Baden-
Thursday, reaching a height on (early December–January). Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt).
Rosenmontag then diminishing Renowned tournament for ski- Karfreitag Good Friday.
on the last Tuesday of Carnival. jumping held annually in Ostern Easter.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Maifeiertag/Tag der Arbeit
December Labour Day.
January Christi Himmelfahrt Ascension.
Christkindelsmarkt and Pfingsten Pentecost.
Weihnachtsmarkt. Christmas Sechs-Tage-Rennen (early to
fairs are held from the beginning mid-January) Berlin. Spectacular Fronleichnam Corpus Christi
(Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg,
cycle races with associated Hesse, North Rhine Valley-
events, held in Berlin Westphalia, Rhine Valley-
Velodrome. Palatinate and Saar).
Grüne Woche (3rd week) Berlin. Mariä Himmelfahrt
International trade fairs dedicated Assumption of the Blessed
to agriculture, animal breeding Virgin Mary
and the food processing industry. (15 Aug: Bavaria, Saar).
Producers from all over the world Nationalfeiertag
offer specialities from their own Reunification of Germany Day
national cuisines. (3 Oct).
Allerheiligen All Saints
February (1 Nov: Bavaria, Baden-
Württemberg, North Rhine
Berlinale–Internationale Valley-Westphalia, Rhine
Filmfestspiele (2nd and 3rd Valley-Palatinate).
weeks) Berlin. International Weihnachten Christmas
The famous Christmas market in the city film festival in which major (25/26 Dec).
of Nuremberg stars participate.

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