Picture-book start on the Förde: The Kiel Week in Schleswig-Holstein has started with a great response from visitors. Many hours before the official opening in the evening, many people were strolling through the city and on the banks of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital – and all this in the best weather with sun, blue skies and a little wind. “It seems to be a very good week,” said a city spokeswoman. Until the final fireworks on Sunday next week, the city expects several million guests from all over the world to the largest summer festival in Northern Europe and major sailing event.
Mayor Ulf Kampfer (SPD) will welcome illustrious guests at the official opening in the evening. Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) and Prime Minister of the West African island state of Cape Verde, José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva, will give the starting signals with ship’s horn and ship’s bell. Cape Verde has been an important research base for the Geomar Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Kiel for years. The two politicians are supported by Samson and Elin from the German TV “Sesame Street”, which is 50 years old.
In the afternoon many thousands of people got in the mood for Kiel’s fifth season. At countless booths and in the outdoor areas of the restaurants, various cold drinks and ice cream were particularly popular in summer temperatures.
The sailing regattas off Schilksee with starters from 51 nations and a colorful entertainment program promise lots of excitement and fun for the guests of the Kiel Week. At the opening, the extreme sailor Boris Herrmann and his team Malizia will also be connected via video from the Ocean Race of the sailors. After the opening, the Sportfreunde Stiller want to get started on the town hall stage. At this Kiel Week there are even more offers for people with disabilities, for example sign language interpreters at concerts. As always, these are almost exclusively free of charge for visitors. Vanessa Mai and band will be there, among others, Tim Bendzko and regular guest Torfrock.
The German Navy welcomes over 40 ships and boats from 14 nations – with a total of 4000 marines on board.
