Three powerful blows from Manuela Schwesig

Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig needed three powerful hammer blows at the traditional keg tapping of the Hanseatic Brewery Rostock as part of the official opening of the 87th edition. Warnemünder WocheShe had many words of praise for the event. Prior to this, around 2500 participants marched through Warnemünde during the Niege Ümgang (Niege Ümgang), spreading a cheerful summer festival atmosphere. The subsequent stage program drew numerous spectators to the Kurhaus garden.

With the wake-up parade starting at 8 a.m., the Neuseddin marching band and the Rendsburg music corps ensured that no one missed the Niege Ümgang through Warnemünde. Despite a few raindrops, the parade was once again a real crowd-puller, with many spectators lining the streets. Organizer Ingeborg Regenthal of the Warnemünde Association was more than satisfied with the parade, in which she directed and rode on a float for the 47th time, which was also her last. "It was a fantastic experience today: Everything was top-notch and went off perfectly. There was a harmonious, balanced atmosphere in the parade and among the audience; everyone radiated equal joy. There were also many new facets to the parade."

Regenthal will continue to work as office manager for the Warnemünde Association until June, when she will resign, and a new era will begin for her. "Next year I'll finally be able to watch the Niege Ümgang from the red sofa on the stage at the Red Arrow. I'm looking forward to finally being able to see the parade myself," says Regenthal. It was an emotional moment for the Warnemünde native when Manuela Schwesig bid her farewell during the opening ceremony on the Kurgarten stage. "This woman organized the 47th parade today. That's a tremendous achievement. A big thank you for that. It's nice to see how associations maintain tradition," praised Schwesig.

Following the Niege Ümgang, the opening program began with music and dance performances on the stage in the Kurhaus garden, hosted by Frauke Raunert of NDR MV. Participating were Warnemünde's historical figures, the Warnemünde traditional costume group, Warnemünde musician Olaf Hobrlant, the shanty choir "de Klaashahns," and other participants in the parade. After the keg tapping at the Hanseatic Brewery Rostock, Minister-President Manuela Schwesig declared the 87th anniversary of the festival. Warnemünder Woche officially opened and distributed Rostocker Pils as free beer to the enthusiastic visitors before the stage program continued with the NDR 1 Radio MV Party.

Schwesig was enthusiastic about the event: “It was a fantastic opening program and shows how Warnemünde lives. Warnemünder Woche is one of the largest sailing regattas that Germany has to offer. Almost 800 sailors from 38 nations compete here in the best sailing area in Germany, and at the same time – and this is what I find so special – the Warnemünder Woche also a big folk festival. Many thanks to all the clubs, volunteers, sponsors, and the city for making this possible."

In her opening speech, the Minister-President addressed a future issue important to the region: "Germany wants to bid for the Olympic Games, and we support the idea. We are fighting together to ensure that the Games can be held here in Rostock-Warnemünde. There are three good reasons for this. We are the best sailing area with ideal conditions. I think the most important point is that citizens can watch the competitions directly from the beach. Spectator seating for everyone is what we can bring to the table. Furthermore, we have long since invested in our infrastructure with two marinas and a brand-new sports school. And if some people ask whether we need the Olympic bid, then I say: Yes. We need big goals for our clubs and our sport. Little Sassnitz is daring to host the SailGP this year, the Formula 1 of sailing, like New York. Then Rostock-Warnemünde can also host the Olympic Games." However, Schwesig does not see the Olympic bid as a sure thing and appeals: “Let us pull together and dream of the vision of Olympic sailing competitions and work towards it.”

The mayor of the Hanseatic and university city of Rostock, Eva-Maria Kröger, also had positive words for the Warnemünder Woche: "Warnemünde is a world of its own and something special: Here, people know each other and feel at home. Traditions are maintained here. I'm very proud to say that it's part of Rostock."

The President of the German Sailing Association, Mona Küppers, praised Warnemünde from a sailing perspective: "The fascinating thing about Warnemünde is that when the weather's nice, you can stand on the beach with your feet in the water and watch the sailing regattas. That's what makes it so special."

Matthias Fromm, Tourism Director Rostock & Warnemünde, gave a preview of the further land program: “The Warnemünder Woche There will be pure variety in the next few days. There will be a lot on offer – on the water, in the Kurhaus garden, on the promenade. I am especially looking forward to the events on the beach, which we will be moving more into the Warnemünder Woche want to include, like at the Glashäger beach concerts." He revealed who will be appearing on Monchi's podcast tonight in the WAL bar on the beach: Gabriel Kelly from the Kelly Family.

On Sunday, July 6, visitors can expect the NDR 1 Radio MV Party hosted by Ralf Markert in the Kurhaus garden. The band Boom Drives Crazy will provide a lively atmosphere with rock 'n' roll and soul. Students from the pop music department of the Rostock University of Music and Theatre (HMT) will also perform. More exciting matches will take place on the beach during the Beach Handball Days from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m. The finals are scheduled for around 15 p.m. A literary evening will take place at 19 p.m. in the WAL Bar on the beach with a reading of "Freedom, Wind, and Courage" by Jessica Benjatschek.