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IN PICTURES: Germany embraces cold snap amid warnings over icy waterways

People across Germany have been making the most of the winter weather - but emergency services have warned against walking on frozen waterways. Now the big thaw is set to come.

Published: 15 February 2021 11:23 CET
Updated: 15 February 2021 13:01 CET
IN PICTURES: Germany embraces cold snap amid warnings over icy waterways
Ice skaters are on the ice on Lake Schliersee in Bavaria on Sunday. Photo: DPA

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At the weekend lots of people got out in the blazing sunshine and bitterly cold temperatures.

In lots of areas, rivers, canals  and ponds were completely frozen over. Families, skaters and dog walkers took to the waterways – however, police have warned against people doing this as the ice can crack and cause people to fall through.

In Berlin police said the strong sun combined with water currents can cause solid ice to become brittle and unstable.

Several people collapsed through the ice at the city's Schlachtensee on Saturday, according to the fire and rescue service. They were not injured.

There were also several accidents on the river Rhine in Düsseldorf, with rescue services having to be called out.

Temperatures are set to increase above freezing on Monday and Tuesday in Germany so authorities are continuing to warn people not to walk on waterways in case they crack.

This selection of tweets, and pictures by DPA photographers across Germany, gives a snapshot of how the country looks in extreme cold winter weather.

READ ALSO: Snow and bitterly cold temperatures hit Germany

Skaters hold hands while on the Landwehrkanal in Berlin on Sunday. People also walked on the frozen river Spree in the capital. Police regularly told people to get off the ice, particularly in some parts where it was not very strong.

Numerous people on frozen water in front of Moritzburg Castle in Saxony.

A police tells a couple to get off the ice at the Alsterpark in Hamburg.

Bracing the cold snowy weather in Dresden.

Several people on frozen water at Benrath Castle in Düsseldorf.

Adults and kids out and about on Steinhude lake in the Lower Saxony sunshine.

Police used a helicopter to tell people to get off the ice at Müggelsee in Berlin as this tweet shows.

An ice hockey game in front of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig.

Families out and about on the frozen Rhine river in Düsseldorf.

Little Elise wearing a bear hat while sledging at the Deister hill in Lower Saxony.

A police offer skating while checking the surfaces at Steinhude lake in Lower Saxony.

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INSIDE GERMANY

Inside Germany: Relief (and worry) as citizenship rules change and how is Euro 2024 going?

From the reaction to the citizenship rules changing to judging how Germany's hosting of the Euros is going and city surfing, here's what we're talking about this week.

Published: 29 June 2024 09:12 CEST
Inside Germany: Relief (and worry) as citizenship rules change and how is Euro 2024 going?

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

‘Finally’: Residents react to new German citizenship rules 

It’s been years – even decades – of waiting for many foreign residents in Germany. But on Thursday June 27th, the new naturalisation law became a reality. 

Under the new rules, people can apply for German citizenship after five years of legal residence rather than eight and even after three years if they can prove special integration achievements and have C1 level German. 

READ ALSO: Foreigners in Germany as long-awaited dual citizenship law comes into force

The other major headline change is that non-EU citizens won’t have to give up their existing passport to naturalise in Germany. That restriction had been holding many people back from becoming German. 

“Finally,” a few people said on social media, capturing the relief. 

Pavel Klinov said he felt happy about the news. “I have renounced my previous citizenship to become German and I am glad that many won’t need to do that,” he added on X.

“Submitted my application yesterday,” said another X user. 

“Now officially eligible to become a German citizen,” said Emma Storey. 

READ ALSO: How Germans are reacting to the new citizenship law

The new legislation allowing dual citizenship without restrictions also benefits Germans looking to naturalise abroad. They have previously had to give up their German passport.

One user on X said: “The law also benefits Germans who want to naturalize somewhere else (but stay Germans, which before today wasn’t allowed without jumping through a bunch of additional and often prohibitive hoops.)”

Despite the significant law change that aims to provide easier routes to integration for foreign residents, trepidation remains.

The reality of long-drawn out bureaucracy and years of waiting for applications to be processed lies ahead. 

“Feeling very happy about the change, but also likely it’ll be 2025 before they get to my application,” said one X user. 

Noah Alberts, said: “The problem for many people will be that it’ll take years for their application to even be looked at.”

Another X user summed up that it was great news but that actually becoming German will take a long time:

How are you feeling about Germany’s citizenship rule change? Let us know by emailing news@thelocal.de

PODCAST: Cannabis clubs arrive and could Germany’s dual citizenship law be reversed?

How is Germany getting on hosting the Euros?

Football, millions of fans and bagpipes – Euro 2024 has no doubt been a spectacle so far. 

But how is Germany actually faring as a host?

That’s a question we looked into this week as we reached the half way point of the tournament. 

Given the scale of the competition and the amount of visitors, things have generally gone to plan so far.

There have been real success stories – such as the blossoming friendship between locals and Scotland fans across host cities. 

It’s also been a family-friendly event with people of all ages joining in on the fun, including at the fan zones.

A very young German football fan gives a thumbs up at the public football viewing area in front of Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany on June 14, 2024 ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 opening football match between Germany and Scotland.

A very young German football fan gives a thumbs up at the public football viewing area in front of Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany on June 14, 2024 ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 opening football match between Germany and Scotland. HIRSCHBERGER / AFP

But there have been a few hiccups. Violence between fans has flared at different points, including between Serbia and England fans. Serbian fans also reportedly clashed with police in Munich’s Marienplatz earlier this week ahead of a match with Denmark.

Travel has also been an issue at times, with the city of Gelsenkirchen standing out.

Travel chaos was initially reported after the England vs. Serbia match, when crowds of fans were left waiting for trains for hours after the game ended, raising questions about German efficiency among the foreign press. 

Similar issues were seen again after the Spain vs. Italy match a few days later.

READ ALSO: ‘Welcome to Germany’ – Euro 2024 travel chaos raises questions about German efficiency

Overall, though, it’s been a fantastic time. Let’s hope the rest of the event goes smoothly and the positive atmosphere remains. 

Germany in Focus 

On the new episode of the Germany in Focus podcast we talk about the new cannabis ‘social clubs’, proposals to improve rural transport connections, the CDU’s vow to overturn dual citizenship, what citizenship means to foreign residents in Germany and how to deal with summer insects.

Did you know?

Germany may not be known as a surfing destination like California or Portugal. 

But did you know you can surf in the middle of a big city here?

Munich is home to the Eisbachwelle – a spot on the Eisbach, which is an arm of the Isar river, that produces artificial waves.

Surfers ride the permanent wave at the Eisbach in the English Garden in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel

Located at the entrance to the Englischer Garten, locals and keen water sports enthusiasts head there whatever the season to try out some city surfing. 

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