Colors of Dusseldorf - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Dusseldorf is famous for its enchanting holidays, many of which appeared more than one hundred years ago. Dusseldorf carnival is known as the most famous celebration that traditionally attracts tens of thousands of travelers. This is a very colorful and symbolic holiday. First mentions of the holiday date back to the 2nd century, when traditions of celebrating holidays by organizing festivals and ceremonial processions only started to appear. The carnival was very popular in the Middle Ages, when the holiday got a lot of interesting traditions and customs.

The opening of the festival is known one of the most important moments of the event. The date and time of the opening have stayed the same through centuries - November 11, at 11 hours and 11 minutes. For several days the life of the city changes dramatically. All shops and government offices close, office workers and strict bosses change their business suits for fancy dresses and go for a walk on the streets of the city. During the carnival visitors can see their favorite fairy tale characters and mythical creatures, pirates and wizards in long gowns. Finding a person wearing casual clothes in the streets of the city during the holiday is simply impossible.

A no less colorful carnival takes place in February. Every day of this festival has a special theme and offers a list of interesting activities. The first Monday of February is called Pink Monday. The most anticipated and vivid performance takes place on this day. It is a carnival train that passes through the main streets of the city. The passengers of the train – carnival’s members - shower passersby with candies and other sweets. The train is a continuous string of beautifully decorated buses, trucks and platforms, as well as tractors and other interesting vehicles. The length of the train is about seventy wagons, so a large number of people gather in order to see the parade. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

According to statistics, during this day as much as over a hundred tons of sweets are thrown out of the train. Most enterprising and quick participants gather big bags full of candies, but they arrive beforehand in order to occupy most successful positions. Another day of the carnival is called The Day of Crazy Women. Early in the morning of females start a kind of hunting and men's ties are the main prey. The main task of every woman is to cut as many ties as possible. Winners of the competition are awarded with prizes and titles. Such unusual and colorful celebrations make cultural traditions of the city even more unique.

The City of Twenty Minutes (that is an informal name of Dusseldorf given due to the well-planned transportation system) attracts its numerous guests by one more colorful festival. This is an event that has a very simple name, Düsseldorf Festival! It takes place in the middle of September. In the past, the festival had another name, Altstadtherbst. Burgplatz is the location of Dusseldorf Festival. During the event period, the venue hosts interesting theatre, circus, music, and dancing performances. The festival has one aim – to make people pay their attention to the new theater that is both colorful and unusual. Visitors have an opportunity to get acquainted with theatre art of different genres – starting from the theatre of absurd and up to poetic readings.

The middle of May is the time for the largest music event in the region, namely, Jazz Rally. The festival has numerous locations in the city. There are more than thirty of them in total. Such a big number of locations is a necessity since approximately 250,000 people in total visit this popular event. Naturally, one concert venue simply cannot hold so many people. The largest celebrations traditionally happen in Düsseldorf-Hafen, in the airport, and Altstadt. Among musicians and performers who entertain the public, there are mostly popular and famous people. Unknown names are quite rare, but there are still young musicians who only work over global recognition. The festival lasts four days.

At the end of August, gourmets arrive in the home city of Heinrich Heine, at Königsallee restaurant, to be precise. This dining establishment is the location of Gourmet Festival Düsseldorf. During this event, it is possible to get acquainted with the rich cultural traditions of the city and the region. Naturally, visitors are welcome to enjoy Halve Han, the most famous dish in Dusseldorf. It is a cheese sandwich with cream cheese, onion, and rye bread. Among other popular local treats, it is important to mention Flönz blood sausage and locally brewed beer (Altbier is still the most popular variation). Besides that, visitors can try the most popular dishes of other German regions. More than 30,000 people in total visit this popular event. Gourmet Festival Düsseldorf has a charming and friendly atmosphere perfect for tourists.

A visit to Dusseldorf at the beginning of June is a great opportunity to visit the Craft Beer Festival. This amazing event traditionally takes place in Mitsubishi Electric Halle. Besides that, this is the best time to enjoy delicious craft beer. There are also many appetizers and popular beer snacks. Moreover, the festival’s visitors enjoy not only excellent beer and delicious food but also an interesting music program with numerous music bands among participants. The number of beer types that visitors can sample during this event is virtually countless.

Residents of the city of twenty minutes generally like the music of the 80s of the previous century. A popular festival named Autoradio Discoteka 80 is one more proof of that fact. The event usually takes place in a large stadium, ISS Dome. Hundreds of media keep an eye on the festival and feature it in the press. All-time favorite, famous hits and a rare chance to return to the atmosphere of the past are the reasons why numerous visitors arrive at the festival. Besides a rich entertainment program, the festival features marvelous fireworks that mark the culmination of the celebration.

Groste Kirmes am Rhein, or as locals often call it Rheinkirmes, is one of the largest fair trades in the region. It starts in the middle of September and lasts 10 days, during which visitors can participate in different exciting activities. There are different attractions, theatre performances, games, contests, local food sampling, and fair trade with a range of interesting items by local artisans. The festival has a rich entertainment program, so there is nothing strange in the fact that Groste Kirmes am Rhein is extremely popular. Approximately 4 million people visit this event every year. The fair trade takes place in Altstadt, and this fact makes people even more immersed in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages (the fair trade has ancient roots and has been held in the city since the XVI century). This is quite a merry holiday where visitors of all ages will surely find a suitable entertainment.

When hearing about any German city, many travelers immediately recall Weihnachtsmarkt. The home city of Heinrich Heine also has the festive fair trade. It opens every year in Altstadt. It is Engelchen-Markt on Heinrich-Heine-Platz that is located in front of Carsch-Haus. Without a doubt, it is the largest fair trade in the whole city that turns Dusseldorf into a medieval fairy tale. The fair trade opens at the end of November and ends right before Christmas.