Colors of Cottbus - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Cottbus is quite a small city characterized by its special rhythm of life. The situation here is strikingly different from the one prevailing in large German cities, locals even use a special dialect to communicate with each other. It can be hard to understand to foreign tourists, even to those who are fluent in German. However, local people have long been accustomed to tourists, so talk to them only in official German.

The townspeople are characterized by a friendly and welcoming attitude to foreign guests, they are always ready to keep a casual conversation going and happy to talk about their culture. Cottbus seems to be pretty quiet, with very few noisy entertainment facilities and many shops and restaurants closing early. Most of them stop working no later than 7:00 pm, while some small shops and cafes may close their doors much earlier.

The tiny German town is known to many for its festivals and holidays. For years, Cottbus has been a permanent venue for the East European Film Festival, which is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. Famous film directors, actors, and producers visit Cottbus every year since 1991 when it was held for the first time. This large-scale festival is equally attractive for tourists, as its program covers several days and is very diverse. The main events within its framework are film competitions in various categories. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Locals residents consider cucumbers to be one of their main national symbols, in the cultivation and preparation of which they have reached incredible heights. This vegetable was first brought to the region several hundred years ago. Cucumbers not only adapted to their local soil but also surprised people with their excellent taste. Now these fertile lands are cultivated by extensive cucumber farms, which have long become popular tourist attractions.

To preserve the harvest of vegetables, they began to pickle them a few hundred years ago. Today, pickled cucumbers produced here are among the most delicious not only in Germany but throughout Europe. It is not surprising that many interesting traditions are associated with such an original national symbol. Every year, a thematic festival is held on the outskirts of the town at the peak of the harvest. Local farmers compete in the cultivation of popular varieties of cucumbers and traditions of harvesting vegetables. The main event of the festival is the election of the cucumber king and queen. The holiday is always accompanied by interesting entertainment programs.

For tourists, there are a lot of thematic tours, during which they can visit local farms and factories producing pickled cucumbers. Those who visit Cottbus in winter will be invited to a local thematic museum where a tasting of pickled cucumbers is a mandatory part of the tour. In the vicinity of the city, one can discover beautiful nature reserves and hundreds of picturesque lakes. It is not surprising that outdoor activities and fishing are favorite forms of recreation for most local residents.

The region is also famous for its beer production traditions; even local restaurants have small breweries here. This national drink is so popular that every year the region holds an interesting beer festival, which is no less attractive for tourists than the world-famous Oktoberfest.

Christmas is one of the favorite annual holidays for Cottbus residents, many tourists are eager to visit the city during the Christmas holidays. The city is always festively decorated with artistic illumination, noisy fairs are held on city streets and squares at this magical time. Musicians perform on city streets and Christmas markets become the most attractive spots for travelers. Here they can buy interesting festive gifts, as well as taste the most popular local foods and drinks.

Cottbus will surely appeal to travelers who prefer relaxing away from the bustling cities. Despite the fact that in recent years this picturesque town has attracted quite a lot of foreign visitors, there is no fuss and crowds of people with cameras on the streets even at the height of the tourist season. This is probably the best place to plunge into the unique national atmosphere, explore regional traditions one by one, and observe the life of townspeople.