Culture

57th edition of the German-French Fair (Berliner Volksfestsommer)

The fair will take place from the 21st of June to the 14th of July 2019 at the Zentraler Festplatz

June 25th, 2019
Greta Isola, News from Berlin
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The former German-French fair, today known as the Volksfestsommer, offers visitors a wi-de range of attractions, such as rides, food stalls of different kinds, and even live music.

The fair, which is considered the most prominent folk festival in Berlin, was created as a result of Berlin being divided into the four sectors after WWII. In fact, as the French sector included the districts of Wedding and Reinickendorf, the leaders of the district and the French troops attempted to find different ways to create a bridge between the occupiers and those living in the area. Thus, in 1963, a German-French folk festival was created for such purpose, in the former district of Reinickendorf. The festival presented funfair rides, food stalls, and musical performances. In addition, a French village was also introduced, with different areas representing regions of France and their traditions. However, in 2000 the festival was moved to the current, more central, location, and in 2017 it was renamed Berliner Volksfestsommer.

The fair this year will present more than 150 performers and a wide number of rides, as for instance the “Rock and Roller Coaster”, a visitors’ favourite. The food stalls will give a chance to visitors to taste German and French specialties while enjoying the music and the rides. Moreover, on the days of June 28th and July 5th, all those who will have liked the page of the event on Facebook will be able to ride twice on the rides at the price of one. 

Surprisingly for such a famous cultural event, admission to the multifaceted festival is free, and the highlight of the event are undoubtedly be the fireworks, taking place at 10pm on all of the four Saturdays of the fair (22.06./29.06./06.07. and 13.07).

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News from Berlin