The pandemic has revived a local tradition that normally only takes place every seven years – the Schäfflertanz (or Cooper’s dance). The tradition dates back to 1702. Legend has it that the Schäffler danced after the plague had abated to entertain the survivors. Now they’re dancing again – outside their usual time frame – to indicate that the worst is over.
One huge perk is that you can finally go to concerts and other events again. We recently saw the English Theatre Frankfurt’s delightful production of Young Frankenstein. The Deutsche Theater started hosting the English Theatre’s musical productions before the pandemic. Fortunately, they are continuing doing so. Young Frankenstein had a fantastic cast. They deservedly got a standing ovation.
The newly constructed Isarphilarmonie is an unlikely success story. Built as an interim concert hall, it was not only finished on time and within budget, it also has excellent acoustics. The concert hall’s minimalistic and functional design gives the impression that art is for everyone. I can’t wait to see Jamie Cullum in there.
Walking through the Olympic park in the evening, you can see the Olympic tower being illuminated in the Ukrainian colours. Ukrainian messages are constantly played in the main station (with dire warnings to female refugees travelling on their own). Unlike the first few weeks the influx of refugees is less visible now. The city has organised free language courses for the refugees. Some are held online by a Ukrainian German teacher still living in the Ukraine. After the war had begun, she suddenly found herself without any income and her immediate family as well as her parents financially dependent on her. The number of Ukrainian students attending schools in Germany has risen to more than 90 000. 20 000 of those are going to schools in Bavaria.
Before the war in Ukraine, a return to normality seemed possible. Now none of us knows. The constant cries for more weapon exports and a shiny new German army makes few people feel safer. I know I don’t. We lost two World Wars, not to mention the ESC (and wasn’t it worse when we won?).