January, 2004 - Nr. 1
From Einstein in Ulm to Verdi in Oberammergau
A Calendar of Major Events in Germany in 2004
February 5-15
54th Berlin International Film Festival
Details for the 2004 festival will be available in January,
but are already published for its retrospective, titled "New Hollywood 1967
– 1976. Trouble in Wonderland" and including some 66 films, Among them
Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Easy Rider (1969), Five Easy Pieces
(1970), The Last Picture Show (1971) and Taxi Driver (1976),
as well as such less familiar films as D. A. Pennebaker’s Don’t Look Back
(1967) and Emile de Antonio’s and Haskell Wexler’s Underground
(1976), a film "the FBI didn’t want you to see." (www.berlinale.de)
March 12-August 29
Ulm – Albert Einstein Exhibition
Einstein’s birthplace celebrates the 125th
anniversary of his birth, most notably with an exhibit of photos and
artifacts in the City Hall. Elements from the exhibition will later travel
to Berne, Berlin and Princeton, where Einstein died. Also planned for March,
a gala marking the physicist’s birthday and the opening of a new opera about
his life.
May 30
Nürburgring – Formula One Grand Prix of Europe
On one of Europe’s most challenging – and beautiful –
racetrack. (www.nuerburgring.de)
June 4-6
Nürburgring – Rock on the Ring
Non-stop rock for three days on three stages at Germany’s
famous Formula One racetrack in the Eifel Mountains. Last year’s lineup of
acts included Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Iron Maiden, Placebo, Audioslave,
Zwan, Deftones, Queens of the Stone Age, Moby, Dave Gahan, Maná and
Lifehouse. (www.rock-am-ring.de)
June 4-20
Potsdam – Sanssouci Park Music Festival
2004 marks the 50th anniversary of this annual
classical music festival, held in and around Frederick the Great’s beautiful
summer palace called Sanssouci. Exact details of the 2004 program will be
available in February, but since 1960 the finale of the program has always
been a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
July 10
Berlin - Love Parade 2004
In 15 years, what began as a modest "house music
demonstration for tolerance, respect and understanding" has become one of
Europe’s largest outdoor events, including absolutely the world’s biggest
techno music parade. Hundreds of thousands of ravers come to party.
July 9 & 10, August 6, September 3 & 4
Oberammergau – Verdi’s Aida (July and Sept) and Nabucco (August)
The open-air theatre used every 10 years for Oberammergau’s
world famous Passion Play stages other productions in off years, recently
including the Verdi opera Aida, joined this year by a new production
of his less familiar Nabucco.
September 18 – October 5
Munich – Oktoberfest
The world’s largest outdoor festival and most famous
celebration of beer. Ein Prosit! (www.oktoberfest.de)
October 15- April 24, 2005
Halle/Saale – The Metalsmiths’ Heaven: Bronze Age Treasures
In Halle’s Landesmuseum for Prehistory, an exhibition
inspired by a single artifact, the bronze Disc of Nebra –the oldest known
representation of the cosmos in the world (from 1600 BC) found in an area of
great Bronze Age wealth. The exhibit includes other Bronze Age treasures
gold jewellery, and weapons owned by nobles of the time, who traded widely
throughout the continent.
November 19- March 20, 2005
Speyer – Europe’s Jews in the Middle Ages
In the historic Palatinate Museum, an exhibition of ancient artifacts and computer simulations recounts one of the most important Jewish communities of the Middle Ages, founded 1084 A.D. Influential in trade and banking, the community contributed greatly to the region’s prosperity and was protected in the 12th and 13th centuries by both the local bishop and the nobility. The exhibit marks the 900th anniversary of the dedication of the original Speyer synagogue. (www.museum.speyer.de)
Future Events
Munich – Federal Horticultural Exhibit (BUGA) 2005
Cologne - World Youth Day, 2005
World Cup Soccer, 2006
For more information on German events in 2004 and for general information on Germany, please contact the German National Tourist Office’s toll-free number, 1-877-315-6237, send an e-mail to gntonyc@d-z-t.com, or visit GNTO’s Web site www.cometogermany.com.
