On the last weekend in Aug. 29-31, we will be having our biggest and best festival stretched along both sides of the Main River banks. Last year over 3 million people showed up for these 3 days. All the museums have great shows and you can go in all of them for just one price, something like 4-5€. There will be 20 stages, many with live music, around 1000 stands selling every kind of food you can think of and every kind of art, jewelry, handmade clothing, sculpture, pottery, you name it. Desert tents with mint tea and hookahs, African drumming, food and artwork, and so many more ethnic shows and music and food that there isn't space to name them all. Fireworks will end the evening on Sunday night. This fest has become one of Germany's premier events. I hope that some of you will come and enjoy the fun!
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
Well, I see this excited a lot of interest! :-)
How about something different then. Dinner in an 700 year old watchtower. Seeing one of the few existing "hanging vaults" in an 800 year old church. Admiring and listening to one of the largest organs in Germany, which is also in the Dom cathedral used to elect the emperors since 1180. Now have I piqued your interest?
Posted by
Nashville, Tn, US
65 posts
Jo, I thought the Festival post was great. Just wish I was in Frankfurt this weekend instead of Nashville. Sounds like a great fistival.
How long have you lived in Frankfurt? I lived there for two years in the late 60's and really enjoyed Frankfurt. I worked for ITT but every weekend I was off to the mountains to ski. My best memory of one of my ski trips was going to Switzerland with 2 others by train. Spent 5 days in an international ski school where you could take a weeklong class anywhere from beginner to expert. You could take the class in any language you wanted, full instruction, lifts, hotel, meals, and it cost me $140 for the week. Ah! the good ole days.
I plan to be in Frankfurt again next summer for a couple days and I'm sure I won't recognize much. Still had several bombed out buildings and a lot of areas that had never even started to rebuild yet. It was still a good city then, and I'm sure more so now.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
I have been here almost 22 years. The city has changed a lot just in the time since I have been here. They have invested heavily in their museums, working on making Frankfurt a destination and not just stop-over. Funnily enough, many of the buildings they threw up in the 60's and 70's are now being torn down to be replaced with buildings with more character and that match the areas they are in. Such as in the Old Town area. I think you will be surprised when you return next summer!
Posted by
Germany
116 posts
schade. we have a wedding that weekend. this would've been the perfect opportunity for Frankfurt to have it's shot at redemption =( nächste mal!
Posted by
johnson city
100 posts
Jo, This sounds like an excellent festival to attend. I might have to try and make my way out there. My village is having a festival that same weekend, although I'm sure the one in Frankfurt will be more fun, although I can walk home if I drink too much wine from our festival =)!
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
If you make it there, we could always meet up.
If you can't make it that weekend, here is the next fest:
Rheingau Wine Fest - 3 -12 Sept.
located on the Fressgasse (near the Alte Oper) There will be 30 stands offering 600 different kinds of Rheingau wines and sparkling wines. Lots of yummy, gourmet types of foods will also be on available. It is awful if you have to walk through there as it the wonderful aromas almost overpower me. I just love fest food!
Posted by
Germany
116 posts
Jo - is your real name Josef or Johanna and do you really work in the Frankfurt TI?? b/c if not, then you should at least get some kick-back from them for your promo work! :P
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
umm, the real name is Jodean, but I don't like it very well. Nope, don't work for the TI. I just like Frankfurt and want people to experience the good side of it. For whatever reason, it has received bad press in the past and the city has worked really hard to improve its image. So, hopefully, people will give us a second chance, or even a first chance.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
Ok, it is almost here, so I have more enticing info for you. The theme this year is "Fascination Turkey" On Saturday evening, starting at 17:00,' 6 of the downtown churches will have an "Organ Mile" with a 30 min. concert in a different church every hour. (I can't wait to hear the organ in the Dom, as it is one of the largest organs in Germany) On Sunday it is the "Choir Mile" done on the same lines. The purchase of a button for 4 € will get you in all of the museums for the whole weekend. How do these sound: Icon Museum, Money Museum, World Culture Museum, German Architecture Museum, Communication Museum, both Jewish Museums, Leibighaus Sculpture Collection, Modern Art, The Schirn Art Gallery, The Staedel Art Gallery, (all 3 of these are huge)and several of our largest banks will also be showing off their immense art collections. We also have the Dragon Boat races which are always fun too. So, who is coming to visit?
Posted by
TN/USA
208 posts
Jo, can't make it this year but is this festival always the last weekend of August? Good chance I might be in the area next year in Aug and Sept.
Sounds like a great weekend to be in FRANKFURT!
Enjoy!
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
Yes, it is usually the last weekend in August every year. The real name for it is: Musemumsuferfest. Ufer means riverbank in German. The weather today looks a bit cloudy, but they have promised nice, sunny skies all weekend, so I have my fingers crossed. It is kind of like going to the Oktoberfest, but along a river instead of in tents! I guess they get more people a day then the Oktoberfest gets, which is amazing!