Jazz on the Elbe and the Rhine

Two international jazz festivals offer a diverse program with the opportunity to be in the presence of a genuine jazz legend. Dresden's Jazz Days begin on November 2. What started off 10 years ago as part of the 650th anniversary of the village of Unkersdorf in Dresden, now attracts masses of jazz fans to the banks of the river Elbe. Taking to the stage this year will be Klaus Doldinger's Passport, Al Di Meola and Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, amongst others.

Since 1980, an exciting mix of national and international stars have performed at Leverkusen's Jazz Days. Back then, Leverkusen was celebrating its 50th anniversary. The 32nd edition of the festival begins on November 5 with France's ZAZ and the German singer Lisa Bassenge. Fans won't have to wait too long for the appearance of real legends: On day two Randy Crawford and Joe Sample are set to entertain the crowds. The singer and pianist have been performing together since 1979. Together with Sample, Crawford and the fusion band The Crusaders had the international hit "Street Life." Arguably the best jazz singer in the world today, Kurt Elling will also be performing at the festival on the Rhine with his quintet.

November 9th

November 9 has been a fateful day in German history on several occasions. In 1938, the extermination of the Jewish population in Germany was tragically foreshadowed. During the night of November 9 -10, the Nazis torched Jewish businesses, houses, synagogues and other institutions. Jewish citizens were murdered or deported to concentration camps. That night marked the beginning of the November pogroms - carried out by Hitler's henchmen under the false auspices of "the people's rage" directed against the Jews. For many years now, Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike mark the date with numerous events reflecting on the atrocities.

November 9 is also a day of celebration in Germany: The Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the much longed-for reunification of East and West Germany was finally in reach. The rest is history. Germany has now been united for over 20 years. Unfortunately, the so-called "blooming landscapes" predicted at the time by Chancellor Helmut Kohl have failed to materialize in all areas of the country, leaving sections of the population unconvinced by Kohl's vision. Nevertheless, German's celebrate this important historical occasion.

A platform for budding talent

What is the difference between the International Film Festival in Mannheim-Heidelberg and the mega-events in Cannes, Venice, Locarno or Berlin? In Mannheim and Heidelberg, up-and-coming directors who are not yet known on the international scene are also able to take part in the competition. For 60 years now, the world's second oldest film festival provides an internationally observed platform for artistic author's film. Francois Truffaut (1959), Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1969), Wim Wenders (1969) and Lars von Trier (1984) were all discovered at the festival. Around 50 films will be taking part in this year's competition between November 10 and 20.

Carnival and St. Martin's Day

For all fans of Carnival, the so-called "fifth season" begins on November 11. Traditionally, carnival revelers congregate in Cologne at 11:11am to officially open the new carnival season. After that the drinking, dancing and swaying from side-to-side can begin in the cathedral city. The carnival in Cologne was once a colorful and merry street festival. In the 19th century the Prussian occupying forces wanted to ban the cheerful processions. But the people of Cologne reorganized the carnival and the newly "official" event was tolerated by the Prussians. This year's celebration is bound to be even bigger, as the year plays along with the magic number 11.

November 11 is also St. Martin's Day. According to the legend, the young soldier Martin von Tours was riding his horse on a cold winter day during the fourth century when he came across a poor man who was hungry and freezing. Martin took his sword and cut his coat in two. He gave one half to the poor man to protect him from the cold. Today, children parade through the streets on St. Martin's Day, carrying lanterns and singing songs about the saint. They also receive a pastry in the shape of a man representing St. Martin himself. And after the parade everyone looks forward to the big St. Martin's bonfire, which draws the day slowly to a close.

Christmas markets

Gingerbread and Christmas cookies are on offer in supermarkets across Germany by late summer. But the Advent spirit doesn't really being until the end of November when the Christmas markets open. Starting on November 21, the air in the cities of Hamburg and Cologne will be laced with the scent of cinnamon, aniseed and bratwurst. The most famous Christmas market in Germany, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, begins one week later. There, through December 18, you can find an array of Christmas decorations such as the Nuremberg Gold-Rush Angel, to decorate your home with or give away as a gift.

Author: Conny Paul / hw

Editor: Kate Bowen