Kiel Week 2005: The Programme

"Cast off!"

The Kieler Woche opening ceremony takes place on Saturday, June 18, 2005 at 7:30pm at the Rathausplatz as the year's Guest of Honor performs the customary "Ringing of the Bell.” Guest of Honor will be Germany's Federal President Prof. Dr. Horst Köhler. Climax of the short ceremony is the sound from a ship's horn "long - short - short -long": the maritime signal for "cast off!" which means the beginning of the week's festivities. During the Holstenbummel party to follow, the city center will be filled with action.

Week of sailing
5,000 sailors from more than 50 nations with around 2,000 yachts, yawls and surfboards, 39 different sailing disciplines, 420 regattas planned, 10 regatta courses - 9 days of top-class sailing. From 18 to 21 June, the world's sailing élite will be coming face to face in the International Classes in Kiel-Schilksee. In the contests for the Olympic Classes and the Paralympic Sailing Class 2.4mR from 22 to 26 June, the list of contestants once again reads like a regular "Who's Who” of world-class sailing.

Festival week:
Celebrate, have fun, join in: festive opening on 18 June 2005 on the town hall square. Highlights include the International Market in front of the Town Hall with specialties from around the world, fun for kids on the Spiellinie with arts and crafts, theatre performances and plenty of room to run about, a large open-air festival at many different venues all over the city, street theatre and jugglers, and many fun sports and games. The festival culminates in the great Kiel Week fireworks on 26 June, 11 p.m.

Maritime week
Succumb to the fascination of giant sails and take a day trip on a traditional sailing ship. The Tall Ships Parade, starting on 25 June, 11 a.m., is a world-famous event and an unforgettable experience for those who go out to sea and those who just come to see. Over a hundred windjammers, tall ships and other traditional sailing yachts are going to join the parade and myriads of sailing yachts and other boats will accompany them. The large naval display at Kiel Naval Base will feature destroyers, frigates, minesweepers and speedboats from many nations. Kids are invited to take part in taster courses at the sailing camp in KIEL.SAILING CITY, and research ships will showcase marine science exhibitions on board.

Week of culture and communication
More than 300 open-air concerts take place at venues all over the city. From Rock and Pop to classic concerts with the Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, there will be something after everybody's fancy. Kids will enjoy the "Spiellinie", Germany's largest open-air event for children.
Diplomats, politicians and academics from all over the world will meet in Kiel. Highlights include a major meeting of parliamentarians from the Baltic Sea region, an international economic conference, exciting lectures for the public on oceanographic research at the Aquarium, and on economics at the Kiel Institute for World Economics, plus discussions on current issues.

Week of sports
KIEL.SAILING CITY is more than just sailing. There will be competitions for trophies in more than 30 different sports. Everyone will find something to suit them: cycling and rhythmic gymnastics, miniature golf and basketball, bowling and canoe polo, handball and hockey, rugby and roller figure skating, chess and a street run for students, plus a lot of mass sports and fun activities to enjoy.


Source: www.kieler-woche.de