Thomas Zimmermann, who will be compering the three day event in the Marktplatz, explained that this year’s unofficial theme is “Bonn can be colourful”. In keeping with the theme, there will be many very different types of music, from the Bonn band Schlager Metall to the brass and marching band Querbeat, the singer Anna Maria Zimmermann to hip salsa music with Conjunto Candela. The newly opened GOP variety theatre will also be participating on Friday on the stage in front of the Old Town Hall. Young visitors will be particularly interested in Noël André Lunguana’s performance on Sunday 2 October. The 14-year-old was in the final of the Sat-1 show The Voice Kids 2016.

Visitors can also sing themselves, either at the closing singalong concert with Guido Liska on Sunday, 2 October from 5.30pm in the Marktplatz or by taking part in the new talent show. The Music Academy and the Lepehne-Herbst dance school are seeking a Bonn-Star for the first time. Anyone aged between 14 and 29 and who is not already a client of either school can have two minutes to show off their skills. The winners in singing and dance will receive a three month scholarship.

Between the stages in the Marktplatz and Münsterplatz, car dealers, hotels, the German cycling club the Bonn volunteer agency and a crib maker from the Eifel will be among those showcasing their work and products. There will be international specialities in the Münsterplatz and Italian products in Bottlerplatz.

Organisers have also thought about those Bonn residents not so keen on partying. So for the first time there will be a marathon fundraising event. Anyone can buy different sized balls for various prices and put them in transparent containers on the stages. The proceeds will go to the City-Station at the Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery) where the Bonn Caritas hands out around 40,000 hot lunches to the homeless each year, financed through donations. “Our goal is to have to empty the containers several times,” said association chairwoman, Karina Kröber.

The Bonn Festival is organised each year by the City-Marketing association. On Sunday, 2 October shops will also be open in Bonn city centre from 1-6pm.

Further information on the weekend’s programme can be found at www.bonn-city.de. Entries to Bonn-Star 2016 singing and dance competition can be made via Facebook or by emailing bonn@music-academy.com

(Orig text: Martin Wein, Kate Carey; translated by Kate Carey)