Colors of Gummersbach - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

If you ask local people for help, they will never refuse to provide it. They are tolerant of everything, however, provided that the person respects the laws of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as generally accepted standards of behavior. These are perhaps the main rules that tourists should observe when visiting Gummersbach. The main value in the life of every local resident is the family, they spend most of their free time in a warm circle of loved ones. Also, natives tend to follow the plan in everything; the famous German punctuality and pedantry are about them.

People living here mainly speak High German; however, the Cologne dialect can also be heard in the city. Local cuisine is famous for its nutritiousness and simplicity. The main products are meat, cabbage, potatoes. You must try such dishes as stewed cabbage, roasted herring, bigos (cabbage with meat), rabbit meat and, of course, sausages - in any Germany town, sausages are always the "most German" food. Just like beer, which is the "most German" drink.

Gummersbach is a calm and quiet city, and festivals held here cannot be called very pompous but rather suitable for those who prefer cultural pastime. One of the most interesting events in the life of the city is the Frühlingsfest that falls on the beginning of May. This is a holiday that should be spent with the whole family - that's how warm the atmosphere reigning here. The fair opens, visitors are invited to taste local cuisine; local clubs and restaurants join the celebration. A special program is made up for children. They will definitely have something to do, and many bright impressions from visiting the event are guaranteed. The venue of the festival is Halle 32. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Indian festival Holi, that is, the Festival of Colors, is also widely celebrated in Gummersbach. It is held at the end of July as one of the brightest and most cheerful holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia. It takes place on the city's main streets and parks. At this time, paints are sprayed everywhere, and all visitors to the festival has a great chance to have a lot of fun because the paint seems to draw unique pictures that are simply impossible to recreate. The airiness inherent in the holiday is passed to all who are lucky enough to be part of such a grand event.

Three times a year a flea market, or Trödelmarkt, opens in Gummersbach. Here you can buy all kinds of interesting and unique things made by the best local craftsmen. This happens at the beginning of May, July, and August. The venue is HIT-Markt, which is on 223 Kölner Straße. Besides doing shopping, master classes, consultations and seminars are also available to visitors who can learn a lot of new and interesting information.

At the end of May, the city of Lüdenscheid located near Gummersbach hosts Lüdenscheid Karibisch with the venue on Sternplatz. This festival is a unique opportunity to feel like in the Caribbean islands without leaving Germany. The atmosphere is created by Calypso and Latin music playing here, exotic fruits and vegetables, as well as tropical beaches with many palm trees and cocktail bars where you can buy not only tropical cocktails but also cool beer - after all, this is the favorite drink of locals. Activities for kids are also available - they can have plenty of fun on a playground or a volleyball court.

Another family-friendly event takes place in the middle of May in Bergisch Gladbach, the Cologne/Bonn Region. The festival is attended by over 10,000 visitors wishing to have a good time. The program chosen for the event is always rich and original. These are musical, theatrical and dance performances leaving a mark in the memory of all who are lucky enough to join the festival, as well as the opening of the fair where you can buy a variety of products, including hand-made ones.

In the middle of May here is another event that would be appreciated by a big family. We are talking about Familien-Frühstück that is held in the city of Lohmar near Gummersbach. The traditional venue is Krewelshof. It is ideal for lovers of good meals because at this time they can taste many interesting dishes of local cuisine. Apple pancakes and apple juice are especially popular. A special program is prepared for children for whom this holiday will be one of the best memories. The event is completely free of charge.

Of course, the city's most important religious holiday is Christmas. It's just impossible to imagine a German city without a Christmas Fair, or Weihnachtsmarkt. It starts on 8 Marktstraße in mid-December and ends just before Christmas. All those who are lucky enough to visit the city at this time can feel for themselves how thin the line between reality and fairy tale is. It seems as if reality breaks under the pressure of a fairy tale, yielding its place rightfully. The city itself changes, and it seems as if Weihnachtsmann himself along with his retinue lives around here at this time. And it's quite possible!