Berlin Festival of Lights

Held every October, Berlin's Festival of Lights is one of the world's largest illumination festivals.  Famous landmarks and other popular spots of the city are lit with an assortment of changing designs and colors.  Last Friday evening, we were able to see some of the highlights of this event. 

Small, colorful sailboats and a changing light show on the water spray from the fountain - near Potsdamer Platz

Hal at Potsdamer Platz with many lit buildings and colorful and changing light designs.

Our friend Susan, her little dog and Patty enjoying the light displays

 

                                                                   
 Potsdamer Platz - beautiful and changing light designs
 

 

 Two of the light displays at The Brandenburg Gate

The word "light" written in many, many languages

 

 

With a backdrop of the American Embassy - these 5 mystical red sculptures are called the "Guardians of Time".  This display was new to the festival this year and appeared at a different site every night of the event.  The evening we saw them, they were at the Brandenburg Gate location.

 

 

 Illuminating the Rome Hotel - across the street from Humbolt University

This square in front of the Rome Hotel was the location of the Nazi book burning that preceded WWII.  Now, the scene of beautiful lights.  Berlin is a changed city since the fall of the Berlin wall and reunification in 1989 and 1990.

 

Light display at Humboldt University

 

The TV Tower of Berlin

 

It is inspirational that a city that has seen so much of darkness and evil through the past years of history can now have a Festival of LIGHT!

 

 

 

Temple Trip and YSA Sunday

Last Saturday we had the privilege of going to Freiberg, Germany with the YSA on a Temple Trip.  We left early in the morning and traveled by bus for a 3 hour trip.  Many of the YSA did baptisms and we (as well as other YSA) were able to attend 2 endowment sessions together.  The temple is small but beautiful!  It was dedicated in 1985 in what was then the German Democratic Republic.  It was the first to be built in a then communist state.  Its remarkable history brings a special spirit to this temple.  This was a wonderful, spiritual experience for us. 

 

 

YOUNG ADULT SUNDAY

 The next day was Young Adult Sunday.  The Young adults from our stake (11 wards and branches) gather for a 3 hour block of meetings which includes the YSA Fireside Broadcast.  These events take place 5 times a year.  After the meetings, lunch is served, and we were the cooks!  We served 68 hungry young people and their leaders!  It was a challenge coming on the tails of the temple trip and working with a tiny refrigerator and freezer.  We served a potato, ham and bratwurst casserole with rotkohl, bread and chocolate-applesauce cake for dessert. We baked and froze the cake earlier in the week and then prepared the rest of the food on Sunday morning.  It was a busy day of Sabbath service for us.  The young people seemed to enjoy our "German menu" and many returned for seconds!

Lined up to begin serving

(No paper plates or cups were harmed in the production, serving or eating of this meal!)

We had to serve the rotkohl to make sure everyone got some - it was popular!!

 

Enjoying dessert and mostly just being together!

The Cooks

 

 

 

 

 

Cultural Events

One of the advantages of living in a big city is the access to wonderful cultural events!  We have enjoyed two of these so far.  Our friend Susan got the tickets for us (great seats) and we went together. The first event was a "Chopin Fest" featuring a Russian pianist and a string quartet.  They were all great musicians and the pianist (Dmitri Demiashkin) was masterful.  It was a lovely evening of music from my favorite composer - his melodies are hauntingly beautiful. 

 Waiting for the concert to begin

 The concert was in the simple but elegant French Cathedral of Berlin.

  The young pianist - Dmitri Demiashkin

 

Our second event was Schwannensee (Swan Lake) Ballet.  We fell in love with this ballet while serving our missions in Russia and this production in Berlin was wonderful!  The dancers, costumes, choreography, lighting and the orchestra all worked together to create a beautiful experience.  Before the ballet, Susan had us come to her apartment for an elegant salmon dinner.  She has been so very kind and helpful to us - how we appreciate her friendship! 

This picture was taken in the lobby of the modern Deutsche Oper of Berlin where the ballet was held.

 

My idea of heaven certainly includes the music of Chopin and Tschaikowsky, beautiful ballet and of course blue and white dishes and certainly hydrangeas!