Highlight
of Hamburg’s annual events
calendar will
again be the Harbor
Birthday celebration.
Touted to be the world’s biggest harbor festival, the tradition
goes back to 1189, when Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa granted the
people of Hamburg exemption from
customs duties for ships on the Elbe river. Centered on and around
the landing docks, Hamburg’s 824th Harbor Birthday is expected to
draw some 1.5 million visitors who for four days will enjoy 500
booths, music, performances, food, and entertainment. Complementing
the activities on land, some of the world’s most impressive cruise
ships,
frigates and steamboats ships will be part of the program with ship
parades, tug boat ballet, dragon boat races and more.
Quickly
becoming a new tradition, cruise
lines are using the popular harbor event to
stage their ship naming ceremonies. This year, on May 10, 2013, Hapag
Lloyd’s MS Europa will be “baptized” in a festive public
celebration. The event will culminate in a huge firework display.
