Carnival of Cultures Berlin 2012

Four days of celebration with a major parade to end it all. It’s the time, where the The Karneval der Kulturen (eng. Carnival of Cultures) takes place in Berlin and 5.000 dancer watched by 750.000 spectators walk the about 3,5km long road from Hermannplatz to Yorkstraße, while dancing and celebrating the most joyful day of the year.

People from all over the world come to Berlin to take a look at the colorful costumes and cheerful performances.

The idea of a carnival which presents the cultural and ethnic diversity of Berlin was developed in 1995, as a consequence to the political and economic changes since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of the two German states, to highlight the cultural richness of Berlin and the often hidden treasures of its international cultural scene.

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Berlin International Airport Open Days

About 100.000 visited the new Berlin International Airport during its open days last weekend even though the official opening next month got delayed because of fire safety concerns and the new opening date will be sometimes around March next year.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore the grounds surrounding the terminal, walk across the apron and find out everything they need to know before it goes into operation.

The new airport will replace Tegel in west Berlin and the old east Berlin airport of Schönefeld to the southeast, and initially aims to attract up to 27 million passengers annually. The two existing airports, which are due to be shut down, will handle all flights until the new airport is ready.

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Renaissance Festival 2012 – Into a different World

I last visited a Renaissance Festival in 2010 and after two years, I thought it would be time to, again, jump into a world of knights, magicians, minnesinger and jesters.

A renaissance festival organized by the German metal band Cocolorus-Diaboli and their stage show Cocolorus Budenzauber, with costumed entertainers, musical and theatrical acts, art, handicrafts and traditional festival food.

I spend quite some time on this festival, watched a magic show, a LARP performance and listened to medieval music, I even drank a horn of met, I can say I had lot of fun.

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Berlin Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day 2012

It’s St. Patrick’s Day around the globe and everyone is celebrating this special day with lots of green and lots of beer. Also for the first time, landmarks throughout the world have been illuminated green to mark the day, for example, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Niagara Falls, the London Eye, the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai, the Cibeles fountain in Madrid, the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the Table Mountain in Cape Town and the Television Tower in Berlin.

Berlin had his very own St. Patrick’s Day parade and about one thousand Irish tourists and locals marched to bagpipe music through the city.

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Festival of Lights 2011

Once again, one of the largest illumination festivals in the world, the Festival of Lights, takes place in Berlin and world-famous landmarks and monuments are dressed in spectacular light. German and international artists and lighting designers present extraordinary illuminations, light art and creative designs. All 81 illuminated buildings will shine in different colors until October 23th daily from 7:30pm till 0:00am.

I will update this article with more pictures during the next week.
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60 years Federal Police Birthday Party

Berlin, Pariser Platz, 27°C, a small helicopter is hovering above the Brandenburg Gate, suddenly a group of GSG9 Special Forces is jumping out of the helicopter, attached with a parachute and a smoke flare gun. Thousand of tourists waiting for them to land in the middle of the Pariser Platz right in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

The Berlin Federal Police celebrated its 60th Anniversary yesterday on August 20th 2011, with a big street festival and the GSG9 paratroopers as a special event.

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Christopher Street Day Berlin 2011


More than half a million demonstrators and spectators were present at this years Parade. It was a diverse crowd: Men and women, gay and straight, young and old, from Berlin and all over the world.

The CSD Parade is a political demonstration. Every year there is a motto, and a list of demands for political changes that are necessary for the equality and acceptance of LGBT persons.

And of course it is also an opportunity to throw a big party down the streets of Berlin. There are dance beats, brilliant costumes, decorated floats, and the occasional naked upper body.

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Carnival of Cultures Berlin 2011

After four days, the Carnival of Cultures 2011 ended yesterday with a big parade from Hermannplatz to Yorckstraße. About 4.800 participants organised in 93 groups and about 700.000 visitors changed Kreuzberg into a sea of colours and ideas.

The street procession focussed on the cultural richness of Berlin, and also highlighted the often hidden treasures of its international cultural scene.

I took about 1000 pictures, but sadly I can’t show all of them, so I think that 29 pictures will be enough to give you an idea of what happened yesterday.

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BURN OUT MAN Berlin 2011

Another cool Event last weekend was the BURN OUT MAN Festival, or LUNAR PARK Festival, an international art and culture festival over 3 day with quite an interesting ending.

“During three days the visitors and SHOWCASE BEAT LE MOT put up the monstrous figure of the BURN OUT MAN. Together they integrated their wishes and fears into this giant in order to sacrifice him at the end in an excessive ritual”

So it’s kinda like the Burning Man in Nevada, just a little bit smaller.

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