Oktoberfest was started long ago, it dates back to 1810, when a royal wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen took place on Theresienwiese ("Theresa's fields"). As time passed by, Oktoberfest lost its original meaning, but preserved and even more acquired the spirit of overall joy and happiness. Nowadays this is the … [Read more...]
German Reunification: Bored or Happy?
On October 3, Germany celebrates its Unification Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit). This day back in 1990 brought a happy and a very significant event on the world political scene. The symbol of the Cold War - the Berlin Wall - was torn down, and East Germans could freely face the world. To have a better understanding of what actually happened in … [Read more...]
Tradition of Sylvester, or New Year’s Eve
The night of the Holy Sylvester, the last night of the year, has always been the night of fun. Every year Berlin hosts one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations in all of Europe, attended by over a million people. The focal point is the Brandenburg Gate, where midnight fireworks are centered. Germans toast the New Year with a glass of Sekt … [Read more...]
German Maiwein
May Wine is a traditional May Day beverage Maiwein (May Wine) is a German drink, dedicated to springtime and flavored with fresh Waldmeister (sweet woodruff). Maiwein, a white wine, imported from Germany, can be found in stores. Waldmeister is a fragrant herb, a small plant with white blossoms. In Germany it grows in the forests. However, the … [Read more...]
May Day in Germany
May 1st is an international holiday in Germany known as May Day The first of May is Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit). The International Workers' Congress in Paris designated May Day as a public holiday in 1889, and in 1919 the National Assembly in Weimar declared it a public holiday in Germany. It is observed by holding meetings, marches and giving … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day in Germany – Valentinstag
February 14th is Valentine's Day, and though celebrating Valentine’s Day has only become popular within the last few decades in Germany, there are several traditions Germans have taken on wholeheartedly. This includes giving cards, sweet treats and flowers to their loved ones on this special day. As the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day is quite … [Read more...]
Love at First … Site?
St. Valentine's Day is approaching.. Holiday's history and recipes -- for you and your sweetheart! "Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is sign on as its accomplice." -- Tom Robbins, Still Life With Woodpecker St. Valentine's Day (February 14) is the most romantic day of the whole year, the … [Read more...]
Love Republic Dos and Don’ts
Observe the simple rules and spread the message of Peace, Love, Unity and Respect Now that Loveparade has become a titanic (no allegory intended!) event attracting around 1.5 million visitors, it is very important to mind some rules of behavior in order not to turn a smiling, laughing mega-party into a hyperventilated, dehydrated and just plain … [Read more...]
Join the Love Republic!
Loveparade'2001 will be different from the previous eleven Parades because it won't take place on the second Saturday of July as it used to be. According to the local authorities' statement made in the beginning of April, July 14 has already been reserved by the Greens since September'2000 for a meeting. There is an opinion that the Greens' … [Read more...]
German-American Day: Tercentenary History of Friendship
October 6 is a German-American Day. In 2015 Americans of German descent celebrate the 332th anniversary of their ancestors' arrival in Philadelphia Harbor. Back in 1683 a group of immigrants from Krefeld couldn't know that they would be followed by several millions of Germans who would afterwards give rise to the largest ethnic group in … [Read more...]