German Culture Site
	Francine McKenna BellaOnline's German Culture Editor

Carnival in Cologne, Weiberfastnacht
Carnival in Germany began in ancient times, with masked Teutons making as much noise as possible to chase away the evil spirits of winter. And in the Cologne area it now begins with ´Weiberfastnacht´, where women take over the streets and no necktie is safe.

Carnival in Germany
Karneval, fun and chaos before Lent, especially in the wine regions of Germany. Those who are not fans try to avoid Carnival areas, where strangers embrace, bars make 40 percent of their annual earnings, and ´The Fifth and Foolish Season´ takes over city streets.

European Capital of Culture, Ruhr 2010
Germany’s Ruhr Valley was one of 2010’s chosen European Capitals of Culture, an entire area rather than the usual city. It is a prized tribute that is granted more for the plans a city has to honour and emphasis European cultures, and the links that combine them, during its year of celebration, than for the size or influence of the city itself.

Germany in Springtime
Spring wild flowers add to picturesque landscapes, and from cities to medieval villages Fruehling Festivals and events take place across Germany. Evenings are lighter and days milder, but, to take advantage of the tables and chairs starting to appear outside cafe´s, don´t forget those ´layers´.

Halloween and All Saints Day in Germany
Halloween has arrived in Germany. Although not quite in the style of the USA’s huge ‘Trick or Treat’ Festival nevertheless the witches have returned, parties are held, pumpkins decorated, and ghosts and ghouls are to be seen wandering the country´s cities and suburbs, alongside the traditional All Saints Day customs.

International Green Week in Berlin
Every January Berlin´s annual food, agriculture and horticulture fair takes place. Said to be the largest in the world, it has kept in step with the times since its beginnings in 1926, and the long time enthusiasm throughout Germany for the environment, ecology and green food, organic products, is now mirrored from across the world in The International Green Week.

Munich´s Oktoberfest
A huge historic country fair, and the world’s largest Volksfest. The Oktoberfest started as a horse race to honour a wedding, and over 200 years later remains an annual festival of Bavarian exuberance, draught beer and beer garden food.

Oktoberfest in Munich, 15 Fast Facts
Albert Einstein once worked there as an electrician, an intoxicated dachshund was delivered to Lost and Found, it uses enough electricity to give 52 years of power to a home for four, and emigrants from Germany have taken it all over the world, but Oktoberfest began over 200 years ago in Munich.

The Oberammergau Passion Play
The wind of change has blown through the Bavarian village of Oberammergau’s centuries old and unique Passion Play, although Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem, his crucifixion and resurrection remain the focal points.

The Rhine In Flames
A unique annual Fire, Water, Light and Culture festival which takes place for five days during the spring, summer and autumn, along one of the most beautiful, and historic, stretches of Germany's River Rhine.