Celebrations to mark five decades of partnership between County Durham and its German twin town will take place next month, with an evening of free entertainment.
A programme of live music, film, poetry and storytelling, all with a German theme, will be centred in and around Durham City’s Millennium Place on Thursday 13 June and visitors can enjoy a brand new, limited edition, Anglo-German beer, brewed specially for the event.
Nochmal is a modern New England Pale Ale and has been created by two local micro-breweries, McColl’s Brewery in Evenwood and The Steam Machine in Newton Aycliffe, along with Freistil Brauwerk from the German university city of Tübingen, which was paired with County Durham in a town twinning agreement in the 1960s.
This year marks the golden jubilee of the signing of the town twinning agreement and residents and visitors are invited to enjoy an evening of special events and activities in celebration.
A range of German food and drink, including sausages and waffles, will also be available and the new anniversary beer will make its debut at the event, before a return exchange in July makes it available to a German audience at the Tübingen Stadfest festival.
Danny McColl, head brewer at McColl’s Brewery said: “The beer is unfiltered, unfined and hazy with a massive hop aroma. Its name is the German equivalent of “Go on… have another.” Its base malt is the quintessential British Maris Otter Pale Ale, plus the use of ESB London Ale yeast brings further British character. The German focus is on the hops, Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertau Blanc offer deep citrus and grape like flavours and aromas.
“The brew day, which took place at McColl’s Brewery was very enjoyable with Thomas and Richard from Freistil, plus Nick and the gang from Steam Machine joining us. Some great relationships were built between all involved.
“We are all very excited to see the beer pouring both in Durham and Tübingen this June and July.”
Cllr Joy Allen, Cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism, said “Throughout 2019, our guests from Tübingen will pay an important part in a number of special celebrations, from sports and musical exchanges, to art exhibitions and literary events.
“This exciting evening of German Kultur is a great opportunity for people to help celebrate the long-running friendship between our two cities and experience a new culture.”
The German Kultur event will include a range of entertainment:
• Free storytelling sessions at Clayport Library at 11am, 1.30pm and 6.15pm, where children and their parents and carers can enjoy a story read in German and English.
• An open-air concert by German singer and accordion player, Martina Schwarz, in Millennium Place at 5.30pm.
• A screening of award-winning German language film, Toni Erdmann, at Gala Cinema at 6pm. Admission £2.
• A performance of German-inspired music by the award-winning NASUWT Riverside Band in Millennium Place at 6.30pm.
• A memorable concert of works by Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst and Georg Frideric Handel and more, by the Tübinger Saxophon Ensemble in Millennium Place at 7.15pm.
• A performance by Trimdon folk group Skerne in Millennium Place at 8.15pm.
Visit www.durham.gov.uk/tubingen50 to view the full programme of anniversary events.
