Ido Vock

1 week ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Fête de la Musique, held every year on June 21st, began in France but is increasingly popular in other countries, including Germany. This year, it falls on a Saturday, so festivities should be doubly raucous. Here's a look at what you need to know about this massive street party and how you can make the most of it. What is Fête de la Musique? Fête de la Musique was first held in France in 1982.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Trips to the pub could soon be a little dearer. Brewers of two of Germany's most popular beers, Krombacher and Veltins, have announced that they will increase prices in October. Krombacher, the country's most popular brew, will raise prices on all its products on October 1st. Those include the eponymous beer brand as well as Schweppes drinks, also owned by the company. In a statement, Krombacher cited rising production and logistics costs as being behind the decision.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

You’ve given away any clothes that aren’t in shades of black, practiced pounding schnitzels paper-thin and are religiously avoiding anything spicier than black pepper. In short, you’re ready for your new life as a freelancer in Germany. Working as a freelancer in Germany isn’t all rosy. Complications lurk around every corner, from tricky visas to an endlessly complex tax system. Here are five things you need to know about being a freelancer in Germany.

2 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

From June 15th, families of up to five will no longer be able to reserve seats together for just €10.40 in second class. The price of individual seat reservations will also increase by €0.40. As a result, a family of four will now have to pay €22 to sit together on a train ride – over twice as much as previously. The decision has been criticised by politicians from across the political spectrum, as well as environmental groups.

3 weeks ago | thelocal.de | Ido Vock

Workers in Germany will no doubt be happy that Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) is a public holiday in Germany, which falls this year on Monday June 9th. But its religious significance is less clear than other religious Feiertage (public holidays) like Christmas or Easter. Pentecost, which takes place 49 days after Easter Sunday (this year on June 8th), commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles while they were in Jerusalem. Whit Monday originates from the Octave of Pentecost.