2012 summer festival season in Bremen
May 2012. A summer full of festivities in Bremen:
11-15 July: the 25th Breminale festival
From 11 to 15 July, the banks of the Weser will be pulsing with sound, as more than 100 bands perform in the four large marquees and on a series of other stages - including the 'Treue' concert ship - spread out over Breminale's kilometre-long riverside site. Amongst the performers will be FloMega, returning to perform in his home city fresh from his nationwide success, plus many other artists that can be seen free of charge as usual! The 200,000 or so festival-goers will find this popular festival still brimming with ideas as it celebrates 25 years with more edge than ever. And there's plenty to enjoy away from the stage too, with a range of delicious food including a large selection of organic & fairtrade stalls, some surprising contributions from local creative artists, and a 200-metre long table with organic produce at Sunday lunchtime on the adjoining Osterdeich embankment.
11-22 July: Shakespeare in the Park
Such stuff, as midsummer night's dreams are made of
The Bremer Shakespeare Company was formed in 1983, since when it has built up the largest Shakespeare repertoire in Germany. From 11 to 22 July this year, it will be offering audiences such stuff as midsummer night's dreams are made of in a series of open-air 'Shakespeare in the Park' performances, which will include 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'Love's Labours Lost', 'Timon of Athens', 'The Tempest' and – of course – 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. With their summer open-air programme now entering its seventeenth season, the Company is very much honouring an old Shakespearean tradition, as London's famous Globe Theatre also hosted plays 'beneath the starry sky'. Located in the heart of the city, Bremen's Bürgerpark provides the perfect romantic setting and is one of Germany's best-maintained country parks.
6-8 July: Summer in Lesmona
The summer open-air classical music festival
Every year, Knoops Park on the river Lesum in northern Bremen becomes the enchanting setting for the open-air Summer in Lesmona festival featuring the German Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of Bremen. This year, the theme of the festival is the Arabian Nights, with the Chamber Orchestra's '1,001 Nights' - an intriguing blend of the cultures of Turkey, Persia and the Orient - setting the mood and drawing its audience into a world of sensual and culinary delights. Knoops Park will be showcasing the musical and sensual pleasures of the Orient in a variety of ways, including adaptations by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and collaborations with musical guests from the region. And of course in the 1,001 picnic creations of its visitors.
3-5 August: Maritime Festival
Germany's largest maritime music event
For the past twelve years, the Maritime Festival has transformed the harbour in Bremen-Vegesack into a rendezvous for the maritime music world. The festival, which attracted 60,000 visitors last year, has something for everyone – from cajun, chansons and classical music to folk, rock and shanties. More than thirty bands, musicians and choirs from many European countries and the Americas will be featuring at this maritime music extravaganza, which will kick off on the Friday night at 8pm. As ever, the grand finale of the event will be a 'shanty slam' and a spectacular firework display above the River Weser. Admission to the entire festival is free.
16-19 August: La Strada
International street circus festival in Bremen
A highpoint of the summer in Bremen's cultural calendar is the LA STRADA international street circus festival, when performers from all over the world take to the streets of the city to wow passers-by with an extravaganza of artistry full of wonder and poetry, colour and excitement. The historical old quarter's streets and squares become open-air stages as public spaces are opened up to art and culture, enriching the lives of visitors and inhabitants alike. Most of the entertainment plays out around the town hall and the statues of Roland and the Bremen Town Musicians. All manner of breathtaking and quirky acts inspire awe and applause from the masses of spectators and show the more subtle and aesthetic side to street theatre. Held at the height of summer, this open-air spectacle boasts some 150 events showcasing the talents of acrobats, artistes, dancers, dreamers, mime artists and more, and is one of the biggest and most breathtaking events of its kind.
Special hotel deal from just €99.00 per person: 2 nights in a double room, 2 buffet breakfasts, 1 guided tour of the city centre (English/ German), 1 ErlebnisCard (discovery card) and 1 travel guide per room.
