Marburg News: Ship ahoy! Harbour Festival Celebrated in Marburg on Pentecost

Ship ahoy! Harbour Festival Celebrated in Marburg on Pentecost

Ship ahoy! On a sunny day, the citizens of Marburg celebrated their Harbour Festival on the banks of the Lahn. "When we started the idea some years ago, some people smiled”, said Mayor Egon Vaupel, "But now standing here on this floating stage looking across to the newly built terraces of the Lahn, it gives me a feeling of sensation.” In fact, half the city’s people came out to join the opening event of the annual "Marburg an die Lahn” ("Marburg to the Lahn” festival). First, a Marburg brass band played virtuosic the "Water music" by George Frederic Handel on the floating stage. Next, the boat Elizabeth II was baptized. It’s an old cutter from the north of Germany, restored by unemployed persons who were qualified through this project. Its engine is run by solar power, and it can transport twelve people; it is to cruise along the river during the summer months. A real maritime atmosphere was created by the boat parade, lead by the Elizabeth II, carrying a delegation of Marburg politicians. Rowers, surfers, paddleboats, canoes, dragon boats, sail boats, a gondolier and model ships belonging to the local model ship club floated along the Lahn.

Afterwards, the spectators could watch water sports from the shore. People could take a walk along the riverside, drink a cocktail on the "Marburg Beach”, a stretch of shore filled in with sand, or enjoy the art works along the banks of the Lahn. The "Lahnorama” project, in which artist can display their works on the river bank, is an important element of the annual "Marburg an die Lahn” programme. A poetry recital, fireworks, "balloon glowing” at night and hip-hop music made the festival a big event. During those two days, the visitors could enjoy the harbour market, a musical premier and a colourful musical programme on the floating stage and on the barbecue stage. Sportsmen could watch the live TV coverage of the final match of Bayern Munich against Inter Milan at the festival. For "night birds”, an "After-show-party” was held in the Marburg Culture Factory (KFZ).

The title "Marburg an die Lahn” is a kind of grammatical pun calling on Marburgers to visit their river. And come out they did, for the Harbour Festival, they really came, celebrating and enjoying themselves. It was a successful beginning of the year’s programme!