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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Berlin Victory Column renovated

Last year, I mentioned that Berlin’s Siegessäule (Victory Column) is under construction. Now, the scaffold was removed and the golden Statue of Victoria again shines in all her glory in the middle of the Great Star.

During the refurbishment works, about 1200 gram of gold leaf were put on the bronze sculpture of Victoria, which is 8.3 meters high and weighs about 35 tons. If you want to pay her a visit, you have to climb 285 steps upstairs to reach the observation platform on top of the monument. There is no elevator but your effort will be rewarded with a great view on Berlin Tiergarten.

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Berlin Victory Column under construction

Due to restoration works, Berlin’s Victor Column (or Siegessäule) is completely scaffolded at the moment and will remain like this until Spring 2011. Only the golden statue of Victoria or Goldelse, like a Berliner would say, is visible.

The Victory Column stands at 61.5m high and provides excellent views of Berlin from the center of Tiergarten. The statue of the victory goddess Viktoria that stands on top of the Victory Column was created by F Drake and weighs an impressive 35 tonnes.

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