And yet it does. Even though most Germans still imagine Ireland being solemnly inhabited by tweed-clad fiddlers, ginger line-dancers and sheep and only consisting of pubs and green hills, there’s a small bunch of Irish expats waving the shamrock-in-exile and promoting Irish culture beyond getting wasted on stout.
So, as an ex-expat for whom St. Patrick’s Day had to replace Karneval for quite a while and who developed a liking for dressing green on a particular day in March, I’m happy to present you the low-down of Paddy’s Day celebrations in Germany:
Germany’s biggest Paddy’s Day-parade takes place in Munich, of all places. Sadly, it already did so yesterday. They nevertheless had some good craig, I’ve heard. There even was an Irish mass.
Thankfully, there’s also a Paddy’s Day-programme in my new hometown, Berlin. Here’s the story.
‘SHEBEEN FLICK BERLIN
Three nights of screenings showing some much loved and some unseen Irish films. With directors taking part in Q&A’s via Skype at the end of each screening. Some of the highlights include Pyjama Girls, One Hundred Mornings and a double bill with the only two ever Oscar winning Irish short films Six Shooter and The Shore.
FEED Soundspace, Hobrechtstrasse 65, 12047 Berlin-Neukölln
Hinterhaus, Etage 4 | U-Bahnhof Hermannplatz
19:00 / WEDNESDAY 14th – FRIDAY 16th March 2012 / FREE ENTRY
ST.PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
The parade kicks off at 16:00 from Spreewaldplatz – Kreuzberg. Come down dressed in your finest green and march with us to celebrate Ireland’s national day. All Welcome.
The route will pass through Görlitzer Park and includes performances from The Berlin Pipe Band & special guests.
SPREEWALDPLATZ, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg
U-Bahnhof Görlitzer Bahnhof
16:00 / SATURDAY 17th March 2012 / FREE ENTRY & PARTICIPATION ENCOURAGED
TRADITIONAL EATS, DRINKS, CRAIC AGUS CEOL “AND SIX NATIONS RUGBY”
Come into the warmth of Irish stew and hot whiskeys ‘on the house’. A feast of delicious Irish cuisine from the Irish chefs who run The Last Supper Club. At 18:00 the Ireland vs England rugby game will be screened and traditional Irish musicians and singers will bring us late into the evening. G’wan the session!
MORENA BAR, Wiener Strasse 60, 10999 Berlin
17:00 / SATURDAY 17th March 2012 / FREE FOOD & FREE ENTRY
IRISH STYLE CLUBBING
A late night after party with live band and infamous ex-pat Irish DJ’s including THE PASSION BEAT CREW and THE RESIDENTS OF LOFTUS HALL. Get first hand experience at what the Irish are famous for.
LOFTUS HALL, Maybachufer 48, 12045 Berlin
Metro Bus M29 | U-Bahnhof Hermannplatz
23:00 / SATURDAY 17th March 2012 / €5 ENTRY & FREE JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY’
In any way, I’ll be probably wearing a stupid hat next Saturday and try to sing Irish songs, even though the Dropkick Murphy’s can do that better. Did I mention that they’re going to light up Berlin’s TV tower in green all day on the 17th? Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig.
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