German Museums Tentatively Reopen As Virus Restrictions Ease

COLOGNE, Germany (AP) — More than 100 Andy Warhol originals have been hanging on the walls of Cologne’s Museum Ludwig since mid-December with nobody to view them after coronavirus restrictions shut down galleries across the country.

That changed on Tuesday as the doors were opened to limited numbers of guests, after authorities eased restrictions to allow some museums, galleries and certain other cultural venues to begin receiving visitors again.

“We’ve been working on this exhibit for three and a half years and for the last few weeks it was ready, but couldn’t be shown,” curator and museum director Yilmaz Dziewior told The Associated Press.

“You can imagine how happy we all are here at that house that finally the audience for whom we created the exhibition can also see it.”

Museums throughout Germany closed at the beginning of November as coronavirus cases increased. Under new regulations, museums in areas with fewer than 50 new infections weekly per 100,000 residents can open without major restrictions, other than standard mask, hygiene and distancing rules.

When the rate is between 50 to 100 as in Cologne, tickets are being limited to online purchase and restricted in numbers. For the Warhol exhibit they quickly sold out through Sunday. A new batch will go on sale Monday so long as the coronavirus numbers don’t change dramatically.

The ex­hi­bi­tion was organized by the museum in concert with London’s Tate Mod­ern in col­lab­o­ra­tion with the Art Gallery of On­tario, Toron­to and the As­pen Art Mu­se­um, Col­o­ra­do.

It seeks to illuminate the influence of Warhol’s immigrant background and his own homosexuality through his works, as well as how he dealt with death and religion, the museum said.

“Just as his celebri­ty por­traits and Co­ca-Co­la bot­tles held a mir­ror up to Amer­i­can so­ci­e­ty, Warhol stands for a di­verse, queer coun­ter­cul­ture that found its ex­pres­sion not least in his New York stu­dio, the Fac­to­ry,” the museum said in its description of the exhibition.

Cologne resident Karl Eiband was one of the lucky ones who got tickets to Tuesday’s opening of the exhibit, and said that for him it restored a little piece of one of the many things he has been missing during the pandemic lockdown.

“Like my evening beer, I miss art,” the 44-year-old said. “And since I don’t have the resources to hang a tiny Warhol in my living room, I visit the Museum Ludwig because it’s my living room for culture and art.”

The exhibit, “Andy Warhol Now,” runs through June 13.

Airberlin Bankrupt : Etihad Airways Issues A Statement. Flights Will Continue On Current Schedule.

Air Berlin, Germany’s second-largest carrier, has filed for bankruptcy today. This came after Etihad Airways announced all financial support.

The airline, which has accumulated debt for almost a decade, reported a record loss of 782m euros in 2016.

Flights will continue to operate thanks to a transitional loan of 150m euros from the German government.

It means: All flights from airberlin and NIKI are operating and the current flight schedule as well as booked flights are valid. airberlin and NIKI are continuing to accept future bookings.

Negotiations between airberlin and Lufthansa among others are continuing and are expected to finalize.

Air Berlin CEO Thomas Winkelmann said: “We’re working hard on this situation to do what is the best for the company, our clients.

 In the meantime UAE based Etihad Airways issued a statement:

“We have been informed that airberlin has filed for administration.

“This development is extremely disappointing for all parties, especially as Etihad has provided extensive support to airberlin for its previous liquidity challenges and restructuring efforts over the past six years.

“In April this year, Etihad provided EUR 250 million of additional funding to airberlin as well as supporting the airline to explore strategic options for the business. However, airberlin’s business has deteriorated at an unprecedented pace, preventing it from overcoming its significant challenges and from implementing alternative strategic solutions.

“Under these circumstances, as a minority shareholder, Etihad cannot offer funding that would further increase our financial exposure. We remain open to helping find a commercially viable solution for all parties.

“We expect airberlin operations to continue during administration. We have a commercial relationship with airberlin across a range of areas, including codeshare operations, and we will support airberlin’s management during these difficult times.

“Germany is an important market for Etihad and Abu Dhabi, and we remain committed to providing comprehensive air links as a key enabler of trade and tourism.

Travelore News: Lufthansa Prepares For Pilot Strike

COLOGNE, Germany - The Vereiniging Cockpit (VC) union on Sunday announced the 36-hour strike action was to take place Monday and Tuesday, following a breakdown in negotiations with Lufthansa management in a long-running dispute over planned changes to early retirement benefits.

"During the strike period, disruptions of Lufthansa flights are expected. Lufthansa is currently working intensely on a special timetable for the strike period, which will be published as soon as possible," Germany's biggest airline said in a statement on its website Sunday.

The pilot strikes will affect only passengers with Lufthansa, not its budget subsidiary Germanwings or any of its other subsidiaries. Affecting departures and arrivals Germany-wide, they are due to come into effect on short and medium-haul passenger flights between Monday, December 1, midday German time (1100 UTC/GMT) to just before midnight on Tuesday, as well as long-haul flights from between 3 a.m. local time Tuesday, to just before midnight. Flights of Lufthansa Cargo would also be affected at the same times on Tuesday.

Long-running dispute

The strike action centers on a long-running disagreement between the union and Lufthansa management over the airline's plans to gradually increase the age at which pilots are eligible to take early retirement by five years. Currently, pilots can retire at age 55 and receive up to 60 percent of their pay until the normal pension kicks in at the age of 65. The union wants this to continue for all pilots. Lufthansa is in the process of expanding its budget operations as it undergoes restructuring in the face of heavy competition from low-budget rival airlines.

The parties had held negotiations since the previous round of strikes in October. In a statement released Sunday, the union held Lufthansa's management responsible that the points of conflict could not be solved in that time. Lufthansa in turn called the strike action disproportionate.

Pilots for Lufthansa and its subsidiaries have already staged eight walkouts this year, which according to the airline cost the company some 170 million euros ($211.62 million) in lost revenue.

Passengers in Germany have faced a year of disruptions due to industrial action, with Deutsche Bahn rail services also affected by repeated strikes. Train drivers' union GDL and the German national rail operator are considering their next moves; however, union leaders have ruled out calling strikes during the Christmas holiday period.

Off-Beat Ways To Explore Hamburg

Explore the Cooler Side of Germany’s Second Largest City with Guided Tours Focused on Alternative Culture, Art and Local Flair.

Known for maritime flair, understated sophistication, a famous red light district-turned-entertainment hub, and one of the most design-oriented waterfronts in Europe, Hamburg now offers various tours that will satisfy the curiosity of every visitor by offering a glance into the city’s alternative culture.

Below is a list of Hamburg’s most interesting – and off-beat - tours.

Hamburg Beatles Tour
With about 280 concerts on Hamburg stages the Beatles “grew up” in Hamburg, as John Lennon put it. As the originator of the musical Beatles-Tour Stefanie Hempel musically guides tourists in the Beatles’ footsteps through the famous red light district of St. Pauli. Stops include the Indra, a former strip club where the band met Ringo Starr; a hidden backyard famous as the location for the “Rock’n’Roll” album cover shoot; the Star Club where the Beatles played on opening night; and the house where the Fab Four bunked after arriving in Hamburg. The Beatles played their last Hamburg concert on New Year’s Eve 1962. After that they returned to England and Beatles mania began.

Hamburg’s Alternative Scene
A truly unique exploration of a lesser-known side of Hamburg, this tour focuses on a collection of local and international graffiti and street artists and offers an inside look at Hamburg's bohemian districts and alternative culture. In the trendy quarters of Schanzenviertel and Karolinen Quarter, participants will learn about community protests, the city’s great diversity, urban art movements and get to visit repurposed bunkers and creative hubs. The Alternative Hamburg walking tour runs on a pay-what-you-like basis to ensure that it is accessible to everyone. Tours are 2 hours and start near Sternschanze S-Bahn Station, through the Schanzenviertel to St. Pauli district before ending up back towards the city center near the Gänsemarkt U-Bahn station. Must request English-speaking guide at booking.

A Taste of Hamburg – The St. Georg-Tour
From the historic buildings along the Alster lake to fantastic local shops, Hamburg’s oldest district, St. Georg, has much to offer. What had long ago been a rather sketchy area, today St. Georg has become a magnet for artists, celebrities, high earners and the gay and lesbian community. Eat-The-World's culinary exploration of the district starts at the main railroad station and allows participants to experience the Alster lake and the ‘Lange Reihe’ street with its colorful mile of exciting shops and stylish houses. Participants of the St. Georg Tour will see the birthplace of Hamburg’s early movie star Hans Albers, and have the opportunity to sample delicacies from small shops and restaurants. Stops may include a traditional café, a spice and tea store, a Persian deli, a Lebanese sweet shop or a vegetarian bistro. English guides available upon request.

Reeperbahn Tour: Hamburg’s Naughty Side
Perhaps Hamburg’s most famous street, the Reeperbahn, is the center of the city’s red light district, which in recent years has morphed into a popular live music and mainstream entertainment center. Offering a tantalizing look at Hamburg's nightlife scene, guests of theReeperbahn Tour will explore the St. Pauli quarter, with its provocative Reeperbahn and Herbertstrasse streets, take a peek inside a strip club, see the boxing club where Mike Tyson trained and enjoy a drink at a local bar. The guide will point out popular local hot-spots, famous landmarks and legendary venues, including the Zur Ritze bar. The final stop is a look inside Olivia Wilde’s “Jungs Stripclub”, one of the more amusing venues in the area where men are only allowed in if they dance. Must request English-speaking guide at booking.

Hotrod City Tour
Car enthusiasts can now tour Hamburg in an authentic German Hotrod minicar. These tourswiz guests past Hamburg’s main attractions including the St. Pauli district, the inner and outer Alster lake , the rehabbed HafenCity waterfront and the historic warehouse district. Tours run daily and in summer months an evening tour is available for couples that includes a romantic surprise. The meeting point for this tour is at the Hamburg Landungsbrücken (jetties) and tours run from 10 am until 8:00pm.