2008 June | 3P Images

30 Years Christopher Street Day in Berlin

Patricia| 2008-06-29 1.42 am

The lousy weather (overcast with heavy showers) had no affect on the party atmosphere of the colourful, shrill and sometimes deafening 30th Christopher Street Day parade in Berlin. This, for the first time also included the east of the city in its route and was attended by some 500,000 spectators and sympathisers.

What 30 years ago started off as a political demonstration against the violence and discrimination experienced by gays and lesbians, with a couple of floats and a small group of spectators, has turned into a massive spectacle, almost a carnival and attracts guests from all over the world. In doing so, the demonstration aspect is not forgotten, with this year’s motto „Hass du was dagegen“ (roughly translated as: Hate, do something to stop it), which seeks to draw attention to the problem of everyday violence against homosexuals and other minority groups.

Photos from the 30th Christopher Street Day Parade in Berlin

On the morning before the parade, politicians along with representatives of lesbian and gay organisations took part in a commemoration service, at the new memorial to the persecution of homosexuals under the Nazis.

The name Christopher Street Day (CSD) is used in Germany and Switzerland (whereas Gay Pride or Pride are more common in the rest of the world) and celebrates the protest and uprising of homosexuals and other minorities against police assaults that took place in New York’s Christopher Street in Greenwich Village on June 27, 1969.

Included in the nearly 50 floats, which took part in the parade, were nearly all the large political parties, SPD (Social Democrats), the Greens (with Claudia Roth), CDU (conservatives), FDP (liberals) and Die Linke (Socialists), along with trade unions, state-owned companies (such as Vivantes, Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the BVG, Berlins public transport operator), also the German Band Rosenstolz (not making a personal appearance, but showing their support with their own float) and many, many more.

Photos from the 30th Christopher Street Day Parade in Berlin

More on the Christopher Street Day - 3P Images recommends:

CSD Berlin (Official site)
Christopher Street Day (CSD) (Wikipedia)

Tags: Berlin,Christopher Street Day,claudia roth,csd berlin,demo,gay,gay pride,parade
Categories: Events
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Kylie and Dustin Neighbours in Adlon Berlin

Patricia| 2008-06-24 12.06 am

Kylie Minogue and Dustin Hoffman were for short time neighbours in the Hotel Adlon, Berlin. Kylie spent an extra night in the hotel, as following her concert in the Velodrom a massive thunderstorm rolled over Berlin preventing her flying out. Dustin was here, with his family for the premiere of the film Kung Fu Panda.

At around 11 am, after breakfasting, Dustin Hoffman left the hotel in trainers, summer shirt and sunglasses and went largely unnoticed by the waiting Kylie fans. After visiting the Holocaust memorial, he returned to the hotel, where he posed for fans at a window. Always one for a laugh, he disappeared only to re-emerge at the window with a camera, with which he proceeded to photograph the fans with.

Officially Kylie Minogue was to leave the hotel by way of the underground car park, but she chose to leave by the main entrance. There she posed with fans for photos and signed autographs. Then to the airport for her flight to Rotterdam, Holland for her concert in the evening.

Dustin Hoffman didn’t have so far to go, just round the corner to then cinema in Potsdamer Platz, for the premiere that evening, so he used the afternoon to go shopping with his wife and daughter in the Friedrichstrasse.

Photos:

Tags: Berlin,dustin hoffman,hotel adlon berlin,kung fu panda,kylie minogue,KYLIEX2008 tour
Categories: Various
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Kylie puts on a damned hot Show in Berlin

Patricia| 2008-06-23 12.45 am

The Australian Singer, Kylie Minogue visited Berlin for the third time this year, this time as part of her KYLIEX2008 tour. The diminutive star belongs to the biggest in the international music business. And following her return, after a forced break with breast cancer, is once again back at the top.

It’s a hot day in Berlin, but not as hot as Kylie, who brings the Velodrom to boiling point. Nearly 8000 fans await therein on their star, Kylie. Then at 8pm, the waiting comes to an end, as she appears on stage dressed in a lilac gown from Gautier and opens with “Speakerphone”.

Photos from the Kylie Minogue concert in the Velodrom Berlin

The lavish stage scenes, massive lighting system, fantastic dancers, dozens of costumes, Kylie herself changes eight times during the show, appearing as a Cheerleader, a Sailor, a Geisha, a Fantasy-General emerging from a red skull, etc. She sang songs from her latest album “X” (her tenth studio album), but also hits such as „Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” or her classic from the 80’s “I Should Be So Lucky”.

A once in a lifetime show, great songs, a super atmosphere, phenomenal. The audience raised the roof and won’t let Kylie from stage. She is speechless over so much adulation and adds one encore after the other. A unique experience, just how much energy and enthusiasm are in the petit Kylie? She is visibly moved and wholeheartedly thanks her fans… saying she feels very welcome in Berlin and hopes to see all again soon…

…..that’s what we’re hoping too, Kylie…come back soon!

Photos from the Kylie Minogue concert in the Velodrom Berlin

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