willkommen-in-germany

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Today is Internationaler Frauentag (8. März) - International Women’s Day. Although this “Frauenpower” observance has its roots in the USA, it is little known there, probably because of its socialist/communist associations. Inspired by an American commemoration of working women in 1909, and following a meeting of the Socialist International in Denmark, the German socialist Clara Zetkin (1857-1933) organized the first Internationaler Frauentag in 1911, when socialists from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and the USA held strikes and marches. Russian revolutionary and feminist Aleksandra Kollontai, who helped organize the event, described it as “one seething trembling sea of women.” As the annual event developed, it took on the cause of peace as well as women’s rights. In 1915, Zetkin organized a demonstration in Switzerland to urge the end of WW1. Women on both sides of the war turned out. With the advent of the United Nations in 1945, the UN used the day to further the cause of women’s rights around the world, particularly in developing nations. The day is now observed in many countries from Australia to Canada, focusing on gender equality. Today’s date for IWD probably goes back to a strike by Russian women textile workers in St. Petersburg in 1917. Although it was observed in the GDR/East Germany until German Reunification, the celebration in West Germany (by the SPD party) never caught on, and the date goes largely unnoticed by most Germans. Overall, March 8 is an official holiday in less than 20 countries today.

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Bild des Tages: Weihnachtspyramide im World Trade Gebäude in Dresden

#dresden #christmas #weihnachten #night #architecture

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Hamburg-Blankenese, Northern Germany

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Autumn in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Southwestern Germany

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Winter in Hamburg, Northern Germany

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Winter mood in Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Eastern Germany

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Mainz in Rheinland-Pfalz, Southwestern Germany, is located on the Rhein river at its confluence with the Main, opposite Wiesbaden on the border with Hessen. It had a population of 206,628 in 2015, and forms part of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Metropolitan Region.

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Wolken über Haßloch, Rheinland-Pfalz, Southwestern Germany

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Linsensuppe mit Würstchen - Lentil soup with sausage (click for recipe in German)

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Better late than never: German-American Day (Deutsch-Amerikanischer Tag) is a holiday in the USA, observed annually on October 6. It celebrates German-American heritage and commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld in the Rheinland landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded Germantown, PA, the first German settlement in the original 13 American colonies, and organized the first petition in the English colonies to abolish slavery in 1688. Originally known under the rubric of “German Day”, the holiday was celebrated for the first time in Philadelphia in 1883, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the settlers. Similar celebrations developed later in other parts of the country. The custom died out during World War I as a result of the anti-German sentiments. The holiday was revived in 1983, when President Reagan proclaimed October 6 as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German-American immigration and culture to the United States.

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Better late than never: German-American Day (Deutsch-Amerikanischer Tag) is a holiday in the USA, observed annually on October 6. It celebrates German-American heritage and commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld in the Rheinland landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded Germantown, PA, the first German settlement in the original 13 American colonies, and organized the first petition in the English colonies to abolish slavery in 1688. Originally known under the rubric of “German Day”, the holiday was celebrated for the first time in Philadelphia in 1883, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the settlers. Similar celebrations developed later in other parts of the country. The custom died out during World War I as a result of the anti-German sentiments. The holiday was revived in 1983, when President Reagan proclaimed October 6 as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German-American immigration and culture to the United States.

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Historic Tagesschau vom 3. Oktober 1990 — Tag der Deutschen Einheit

Does anyone remember how it was?

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Hamburg Speicherstadt, Northern Germany

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https://youtu.be/Q7Bi6tiWNCk

15-minute docu on the history of the Berlin Wall, in English.

The song in it is “Tear down these walls” by Runrig.

Read more about it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Wall

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People of Germany: Oktoberfest people in Munich, Bavaria, Southern Germany

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Top-Rated Oktoberfeste in the USA

It is hardly surprising that a country like the USA with huge numbers of German immigrants — in fact, German-Americans make up the largest ancestry group in the US — should offer such a large number of Oktoberfest celebrations. Here’s a list of the main ones:

1. MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest, mid Sept, Covington, Kentucky

This has won awards and attracts 125,000 visitors from throughout the Midwest, offering a mix of German and international foods, music, and arts and crafts. Held in a designated historic district with shops, restaurants, pubs, and entertainment.

http://www.mainstrasse.org

2. Alpine Village Oktoberfest, weekends – early Sept to late Oct, Torrance, California in the LOS ANGELES area

Having been called “one of the best Oktoberfests in the world!”, this is one of the oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebrations in California. It has been a popular for 45 years attracting 100,000 visitors a year. Bavarian entertainment includes Oom Pah bands from Germany, sing-a-longs, a yodeling competition, and contests like pretzel-eating and beer stein-holding, plus an abundance of German food and beer. Sundays concentrate on family entertainment. In the same location, there is a German supermarket with butcher and bakery, a cafe, and a German restaurant, along with small shops selling things imported from Germany.

http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/oktoberfest

3. Oktoberfest, mid Sept to late Oct, Helen, Georgia

One of the biggest local events for 40 years, this Oktoberfest transforms tranquil Helen into the ultimate party town featuring German bands and polka performances with dancers in native costume, and traditional Bavarian food and beer.

www.helenga.org/events/42nd-annual-oktoberfestHofbrauhaus

4. Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, mid Sept to late Oct, Las Vegas, Nevada

Taking place in an exact replica of Munich’s famous Hofbrauhaus complete with beer hall and beer garden, this is as authentic as it gets stateside, complete with live music, appropriate foods such as sausages and pork shanks, and an abundance of German beer brewed according to original recipes handed down by the Duke of Bavaria over 400 years ago and imported directly from Germany.

www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com

5. Oktoberfest, every weekend in Oct, Hermann, Missouri

During the first 4 weekends in Oct, this town cenebrates Missouri’s best festival. This well preserved German village on the banks of the Missouri River provides a perfect setting for traditional events to celebrate German-Bavarian heritage and culture. A wide variety of activities take place among the more than 150 historic buildings that include antique shops, specialty stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants, B&Bs, and inns. There are 7 wineries and plenty of music, special food booths, and crafts demonstrations.

http://experiencehermann.com/oktoberfest-schedules/hermann-missouri-oktoberfest-full-schedule

6. Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, mid Sept to late Oct, Big Bear Lake, California

This has been a popular attraction for 42 years and features everything to do with German food and beer from bratwurst, knockwurst, and dumplings to premium German beers, beer drinking contests and stein-carrying challenges, concerts, game booths, log-sawing, and activities for children such dance performances, bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and carnival games.

http://bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest/oktoberfest-101

7. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, mid to late Sept, Cincinnati, Ohio

Recognized as North America’s largest Oktoberfest for more than 3 decades, this has been an increasingly popular attraction with more than 500,000 visitors each year. Highlights include live entertainment, big bands, folk dancers, accordion players, almost 100 booths offering German food, beer and wine, and a large selection of rides and activities for children.

www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com

8. Denver Oktoberfest, mid to late Sept, Denver, Colorado

Recognized as one of the largest in the USA, this is also one of Denver’s most popular and longest running festivals. Towards the end of Sept over 2 separate weekends, the city comes alive with all things festive and German, incl. music, dance, cultural performances, German food including the ever popular bratwurst and strudel desserts, and German beer.

www.thedenveroktoberfest.com

9. Oktoberfest, mid Sept, Mt Angel, Oregon

One of the oldest and best loved community activities, this 4-day largest folk festival in the state attracts more than 300,000 people a year to Mount Angel, a community founded by German pioneers in 1867. Featuring music, food, dress, and beverages of Bavaria, it celebrates culture and has been a successful attraction for almost 50 years.

www.oktoberfest.org

10. Addison Oktoberfest, mid Sept, Addison, Texas

One of the most authentic Oktoberfeste outside of Munich, the 4-day event attracts more than 70,000 visitors each year to enjoy the German food like schnitzel as well as beer favorites, a yodeling contest, folk music, polka dancing, sing-alongs, the unique German Spelling Bee, children’s entertainment, and more.

www.addisontexas.net/events/Oktoberfest

11. Oktoberfest, late Sept - early Oct, La Crosse, Wisconsin

One of Wisconsin’s largest autumn festivals for more than 50 years, attracting 150,000 people annually, this is an Old-World folk celebration steeped in German tradition. Held along the shores of the Mississippi River, this fall festival transports visitors to Bavaria with music, entertainment, arts and crafts, ethnic food, carnival rides, Maple Leaf and Torchlight parades, the Festmaster Ball, and the Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest pageant.

www.oktoberfestusa.com

12. Harpoon Oktoberfest, late Sept, Boston Brewery – Boston, Massachusetts

One of the most popular New England fall events for more than 20 years, complete with beer, bratwursts, chicken dancing, a keg bowling game, and German chocolate cake-eating contests, this event offers everything from lederhosen-dressed musicians and their traditional waltzes to free non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers.

www.harpoonbrewery.com/festivals

13. Leavenworth Oktoberfest, early to mid Oct weekends, Leavenworth, Washington

A 3-weekend festival held annually in this charming town modeled after a Bavarian village, the event attracts over 10,000 people and features 4 venues with concerts of live traditional music, typical food like bratwurst, cold beer, imported German brews , and the mayor honoring the Bavarian tradition of “tapping the keg”, European shops, wooden carvings, and a marathon.

http://www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com

14. Oktoberfest, early Oct, Stowe, Vermont

In the Stowe Events field under a huge tent transformed into a Bavarian village, Oktoberfest in Vermont celebrates the harvest and fall season with everything from “oompah” bands to traditional sing-a-longs and dancing, to Bavarian foods and freshly brewed Vermont beers. Other top attractions are a silent auction, the Grand Parade with marching bands, floats and more to open the event, and a wide variety of fun activities for children.

http://www.stoweoktoberfest.com

15. International Oktoberfest, early Oct, Newport, Rhode Island

This is an ardent tribute to Germany’s most famous fall festival and offers 3 stages of German music, Oktoberfest show bands, dance troupes and yodelers, as well as a Kindergarten with family fun activities. Visitors can enjoy the best of German and domestic Oktoberfest brews in the International Biergarten, and the best of foods with a traditional Bratwurst.

www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/international-oktoberfest

16. New Ulm Oktoberfest, early Oct, New Ulm, Minnesota

Set in New Ulm originally founded by German immigrants, the Oktoberfest there is now recognized as one of the best of the smaller ones in the USA. A popular event for over 30 years, it presents 2 stages of music and entertainment, the ever popular German-American Parade, entertainment at several bars and taverns, craft shows and a famous and popular glockenspiel with characters emerging every few hours.

http://www.newulmoktoberfest.com

17. Oktoberfest, mid Oct, Historic German Town – Nashville, Tennessee

Attracting thousands of people for more than 32 years, the family oriented event features everything from 4 stages presenting live German music, food and beverages, Polka dancing, arts and crafts, antiques, street performers and fun events for children.

www.nashvilleoktoberfest.com

18. Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake, mid Oct, Phoenix, Arizona

Offering an unusual blend of Bavarian and Southwest USA cultures, the much loved event for the whole family at Tempe Town Lake offers polka, bratwurst, strudel and beer with salsas and Southwest foods, along with 4 stages of live music, 6 beer gardens offering also wines and spirits, a college garage band competition, John Madden football tournament, lots of video games, and arts & crafts for the kids.

www.tempeoktoberfest.com

19. Tulsa Oktoberfest, mid Oct, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Named 1 of the top German food festivals in the USA by Bon Appetit magazine and saluted by USA Today as one of the Top 10 places in the world to celebrate Oktoberfest, this is one of the largest German celebrations in the USA. There are beer pong competitions, wiener dog races, polka sessions, a beer keg race, foods such as bratwurst with sauerkraut or smoked turkey legs, a German marketplace, and chances to sample authentic beer, to enjoy dance troupe performances, and carnival rides.

www.tulsaoktoberfest.org

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Zwetschgenkuchen or Pflaumenkuchen is a German sheet cake involving yeast or shortcrust dough that’s thinly spread onto a baking sheet and covered with pitted Zwetschgen aka Pflaumen. It’s a popular cake when plums are in season. In Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland and the Mosel region, it is known as “Quetschekuche”; in Bayern and Baden-Württemberg it’s called “Zwetschgendatschi”; in the Rheinland and the Eifel it’s “Prummetaat”. Although it is commonly seen with Streusel (a crumbly mix of butter, sugar & flour) and served with whipped cream, the original recipe serves it plain without toppings. The people of Augsburg claim to have invented it - it’s the city’s signature dish. Due to this cake, the city is nicknamed “Datschiburg”. In the Palatinate and Rhenish Hesse it is eaten with potato soup or vegetable soup as a main dish for lunch. In contrast, the people in Saarland eat it with bean soup and call  the dish “Bibbelschesbohnesup un Quetschekuche”. The cake is only slightly sweet.