- Title: Thousands of Berlin revellers celebrate Carnival of Cultures
- Date: 4th June 2017
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JUNE 4, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF POLICE CARS SIGN FOR UNDERGROUND STATION WHERE CARNIVAL PARADE STARTS VARIOUS OF SECURITY AND REVELLERS AT START OF CARNIVAL (SOUNDBITE) (German) REVELLER, SINA BETTERMANN, SAYING: "We just talked about it. We have thought about where to stand. Well, it's okay at the moment. But we thought 'where are the concrete barriers?'" (SOUNDBITE) (German) REVELLER, NINA PULVER, SAYING: "Well, there is a lot of police. But we are missing the concrete barriers. Especially considering what happened yesterday. Of course there are ordinary barriers. But we don't feel totally safe anymore." (SOUNDBITE) (German) REVELLER, ALEXANDRA RICHTER, SAYING: "There certainly is an uneasy feeling. Certainly it is in our heads." REVELLERS WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED BERLIN VISITOR, SAYING: "It was a little bit (of a) concern in my mind today morning. But Berlin is really awesome, so I really like it here. I feel safe. That's why I haven't given it, I've come out." (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED BERLIN VISITOR, SAYING: "We don't want to think about safety. We just want to enjoy." POLICE OFFICER WITH MACHINE GUN (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPOKESMAN POLICE BERLIN, WINFRID WENZEL, SAYING: "Well, we have very seriously analysed what happened in Berlin, and of course what happened in other European cities, like London or Stockholm. And we employ concrete barriers, but not today because that is a moving parade, the Carnival of Cultures. Meaning we have a lot of our own vehicles standing on the streets and functioning as barriers. And we make sure that the area itself is free of big vehicles, meaning it is virtually a car-free zone." VARIOUS OF DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES IN RAIN ONLOOKERS VARIOUS OF FLOAT WITH FROGS VARIOUS OF MEN WITH PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS WOMAN IN ORANGE COSTUME ON STILTS, BLOWING KISSES (SOUNDBITE) (German) REVELLER, AMIR FATAL, SAYING: "The people came here despite the bad weather. Just to have fun." VARIOUS OF DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES AND RAIN COATS OVER THEM VARIOUS OF DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES REVELLER DANCING (SOUNDBITE) (German) REVELLER SILKE [SURNAME NOT GIVEN], SAYING [ASKED HOW IS THE ATMOSPHERE]: "Super! Could be a bit drier. But otherwise great!"" DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES DANCING ONLOOKERS, ONE WITH UMBRELLA IN BRITISH COLOURS MAN WITH TRUMPET, SHOUTING "YOU ARE THE HEROES!" ONLOOKERS WITH UMBRELLAS DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES AND UMBRELLAS DANCING ONLOOKERS WITH UMBRELLAS AND PAN TO PARADE DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES (SOUNDBITE) (English) REVELLER ALI JALALI, SAYING: "Actually, I don't have any special expectations. I just came here to see different cultures in Berlin, the love and peace of the people, and friendship." DANCERS IN COLOURFUL COSTUMES FLOAT READING (German) 'TOGETHER WITHOUT POVERTY' REVELLER DANCING
- Embargoed: 18th June 2017 15:51
- Keywords: Berlin street parade Carnival of Cultures Germany
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News
- Reuters ID: LVA0016JV1W7B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Berlin's annual Carnival of Culture was somewhat overshadowed by the attacks in London on Saturday (June 3) evening and in Manchester on May 22, and the security was accordingly tight. But there were no extra police or street barricades.
But despite pouring rain, thousands of revellers took to the streets of the German capital on Sunday (June 4) to watch a colourful street parade celebrating the city's ethnic minorities. The organiser expected up to half a million revellers.
Police were out in force guarding the carnival, using their own vehicles to protect the carnival. Many had expected concrete barriers, but there was no practical need for them, as the police said.
But despite the potential target, the revellers were unconcerned, as one participant summed it up: "I do not let my life being ruled by those things. And I don't think that would be in the interest of the victims."
Established in 1996, this year's 22nd edition kicked off on Friday (June 2) and will end on Monday (June 5).
The traditional street parade on Sunday boasts 63 groups of musicians, dancers and acrobats from various countries in colourful costumes, presenting the cultural diversity. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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