Breaking the fast

Easter, the most important holiday on the Christian calender, marks the end of the 40-day period of Lent when many Christians choose to fast - or at least do without something tempting like chocolate or alcohol. What better way to break a fast than with a feast? There are always plenty of chocolate bunnies, dyed hard-boiled eggs and other treats to go around. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full-moon in spring - this year, on April 4.

For film lovers

Starting on April 14, Cologne will host this year's International Women's Film Festival, with an emphasis on films by female directors from the Balkans. The festival will open with the film that premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February - "Na Putu" by Jasmila Zbanic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2006, Zbanic received the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for her debut film "Esma's Secret."

Films from Central and Eastern Europe are also the focus of the 10th goEast Film Festival in Wiesbaden, which runs from April 21-27. Georgian-French director Otar Iosseliani will be honored at the event, which is organized by the German Film Institute (DIF).

At the end of the film, old films take the spotlight at the 56th International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen. This year, the world's oldest short film event takes a closer look at films from 1898-1918. The festival runs from April 29 - May 4.

More contemporary movie stars and filmmakers are vying for the German Film Prizes, which will be presented on April 23 in Berlin. In addition to a handful of Lola statuettes, 2.855 million euros ($3.8 million) in prize money will be awarded.

Art Cologne

The world's oldest art fair, Art Cologne, takes place in the western German metropolis from April 21-25. But age doesn't guarantee popularity. In recent years, the fair has become boring and unwieldy, critics say. In 2008, however, a new director, the Swiss-born American Daniel Hug, brought a fresh approach to the event. Last year, there was talk of winning back important gallery owners who had already crossed Cologne off their schedules. This year, 190 gallery owners are expected to show Classical Modern, postwar and contemporary works of art.

Books and roses

On April 23, all of Germany will be reading. In Catalonia, April 23 is the name day of Sant Jordi and has traditionally been observed by giving gifts of roses and book. Fifteen years ago, UNESCO decided this would be an appropriate day to name World Book and Copyright Day. This year, the focus in Germany is on intellectual property rights - an issue that the German Publishers and Booksellers Association hopes to impress on the young Internet generation. April 23 is also the anniversary of the death of two literary legends: William Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes. Both died in 1616, the former in Stratford-upon-Avon and the latter in Madrid.

Inside/outside in Berlin

Danish-Islandic installation artist Olafur Eliasson has lived in Berlin for the past 15 years. Now the German capital is dedicating a solo show to his work in the Martin-Gropius-Bau exhibition hall. Eliasson designed the exhibition, which runs from April 28 - October 9, especially for the space. The title of the show - "Innen Stadt Außen" - is a wordplay which literally means "inside instead of outside" but sounds like the phrase "Downtown Outside." In this collection, Eliasson explores the relationship between museum and city, architecture and landscape, space, bodies and time.

Neo Rauch turns 50

On April 18, 1960, Neo Rauch was born in Leipzig. In honor of his landmark birthday, two museums in Germany are planning a massive double exhibition of his work: the Pinakothek in Munich (opening on April 20) and the Museum of Visual Arts in Leipzig (opening on April 18). Around 120 pieces will be on show, many on loan from private American collections. Rauch is considered the principal artist of the so-called New Leipzig School - a term rejected by the artists it encompasses. The phrase was coined by American collectors who compiled works by artists who studied at the Leipzig Academy of Visual Arts.

Schwetzinger Festspiele

Each year, the south-western German town of Schwetzingen hosts an opera and music festival that draws more than 20,000 people from around the world. Schwetzingen once served as the summer residence of the prince-electors and boasts a Rococo theater and castle, built in the mid-18th century. During the festival, concerts and performances take place in these royal settings. Since the festival was founded 58 years ago, 38 opera world premieres have taken place in Schwetzingen. This year will see the premiere of Michael Jarrell opera "Le père." The Schwetzingen Festival runs from April 23 - June 13.

Author: Petra Lambeck (kjb)
Editor: Jennifer Abramsohn