Rhine in Flames This year’s theme is flower power

Bonn · The fireworks in the Rheinaue on 6 May will be a reminder of the Summer of Love in 1967.

California dreams and songs about love will shape the traditional giant fireworks display in the Rheinaue on Saturday 6 May. Half a century after the legendary “Summer of Love” in the United States, the organisers of Rhine in Flames are looking to “Flower Power” and the music of the late sixties. The theme and programme for the most visited open-air event in Bonn was presented yesterday by Udo Schäfer, director of Tourismus and Congress GmbH, along with representatives of the main sponsors, those in charge of music and some of the bands.

The Beatles classic “All you need is love” will open the 31st edition of the firework display at 11.15pm. “Let the sunshine in” and “California dreaming” will then keep up the happy mood. Nicole Solbach, from the Eitorf pyrotechnic manufacturer Weco, promised these songs would be accompanied by three-dimensional suns and magical pictures created from Italian cylindrical shells with a diameter of 20 centimetres. To finish, Joe Cocker will accompany a colourful flower carpet complete with showers of gold in the sky over the Rheinaue. The fireworks will be lit from a 40 metre high working stage on which a total of 18 employees will install the fireworks and other pyrotechnical effects.

Before the spectacular finale, a total of 40 groups on three stages will ensure a great spring feeling among the tens of thousands of visitors on the Friday and Saturday.

Bonners are being encouraged to become co-creators of the festival for the first time. Residents, clubs, groups of friends and particularly school classes are being called on to participate with creative lighting along the Rhine and delight the 13,000 guests on the 45 boats. Schäfer is envisaging shimmering, illuminated flowers, peace signs or placards in psychedelic colours being brought to the riverbanks or to prepared areas. There are a large number of prizes on offer, including a four-day school trip to the source of the Rhine in Switzerland.

The Deutsche Post DHL Group will again illuminate the Post Tower in accordance with this year’s theme. The company is one of the main sponsors, along with Sparkasse Köln/Bonn and the municipal authorities. Original text: Martin Wein. Translated by Kate Carey.

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