A Unique Centre of Cultural Life
Cultural Capital
Hamburg’s reputation as a cultural capital is as distinct as it is multifaceted. The Hamburg State Opera not only is home to John Neumeier’s famous Hamburg Ballet, it was also nominated "Opera House of 2005" for its outstanding opera productions. Laeiszhalle - Hamburg Music Hall is a concert venue of international renown. Deutsches Schauspielhaus and Thalia Theater have gained recognition as Germany’s leading drama theatres. A veritable monument to culture is currently under construction in the new HafenCity quarter. Built atop of the historic Kaispeicher A, the architecturally stunning Elbe Philharmonic Hall will open its doors in 2014: A world-class concert hall for major music events – the city’s new, shining landmark!
(Mediaserver HMG)
The staging of musicals like "Cats", "Phantom of the Opera", "Buddy Holly" and "Mamma Mia" has put Hamburg on the itinerary of every fan of the genre. Current box-office hits are "The Lion King", "Tarzan" and "Sister Act". The unique setting of the Reeperbahn and harbourside theatres makes every visit a memorable event.
The Hamburg Scene
Hamburg’s famously creative, flamboyant personalities set the pace in the city’s pulsating night life. Subculture bars or hip beach clubs – new venues are forever setting new trends, in the Schanzenviertel and Ottensen, in St. Georg and in St. Pauli. Down by the water, Hamburg can feel positively Mediterranean!
The world-famous Reeperbahn in St. Pauli has evolved into an attractive entertainment district. It has much more to offer than just a red-light milieu. The scene, and the music, have always been ahead of their time, producing names such as the legendary "Star-Club" and the Beatles, the "Goldener Pudel Club", "angie's nightclub", "Docks" and "Grünspan".
Traditional Festivals and Breathtaking Events
Things get pretty lively around Hamburg’s traditional festivals. The "Dom", northern Germany’s biggest fair, is held three times a year. The annual Hamburg Port Anniversary sees hundreds of thousands of people celebrating the granting of Port Privileges by Emperor Barbarossa in 1189. And the colourful fireworks of the Cherry Blossom Festival is the Japanese community’s magical thank-you for the city’s Hanseatic hospitality.
Even more striking than the offbeat outfits of the "Schlagermove" revellers are the imaginative costumes on Christopher Street Day, when gays and lesbians parade through the city centre. Louder still are the Hamburg Harley Days. The world’s only downtown Harley-Davidson rally turns the Reeperbahn into a catwalk for the American cult motorcycles. When the Queen of the Seas comes to town, half of Hamburg comes out to greet her. Hundreds of thousands regularly enjoy the sight of the Queen Mary 2 during her brief stopovers at the cruise liner terminal in HafenCity.
Hamburg’s Enthusiasm for Sports
More than five million passionate spectators get together annually when the world’s best cyclists, marathon runners, tennis players, riders, triathletes, swimmers and beach volleyball players arrive to exhibit their skills. But Hamburg is also unbeatable when it comes to public participation in popular sports. Three out of ten of the city’s inhabitants are members of a sports club, and they benefit from the enormous range of modern sports facilities, parks and extensive waterways to keep themselves fit.
Culinary Capital
The city on the Elbe River is Germany’s unchallenged culinary capital. You can choose from a plethora of exceptional restaurants, but you can also eat on a budget. Around the Fish Market you will find numerous cosy harbour pubs serving freshly caught fish. Spread across the entire city, there are hundreds of restaurants which offer all types of international cuisine, providing you with an endless variety of culinary delights from all over the world.
