Dear all,

As the Easter holidays came to an end, we, once again, send out the newsletter two days earlier than usual. We are very excited to announce our third keynote speaker: Vicki Ann Cremona will be speaking about »Carnival and beyond: colonialism, control and resistance« on 12 June. Find out more here…

We had some time off work thanks to a long weekend – Friday and Monday were public holidays (as is Whit Monday, the first day of the conference). Time to relax, daydream about the varied conference programme and make plans like visiting a nice theatre. Our fool of the week is famous »Tünnes« from the »Hänneschen Theatre«. The theatre is in fact a Cologne institution of puppetry which you could also experience during the IFTR conference. We have reserved about 200 tickets for the Hänneschen Theatre for IFTR participants until 15 May. In our Cologne Curiosity you can also find out where »genuine Cologne« places are to get supplies even though the shops are closed.

CC: Far away from home, alone in an unfamiliar world full of mysteries, uncertain and worried by the senselessness of this random and contingent world, you might feel like you have no support, no landmarks. You don’t know where to go, but then, you remember this newsletter and you’ve been saved! Because in this strange world, there is always an anchor point for you, the magnificent, irreplaceable, mythical Cologne kiosk, the »Büdchen«. 

These little shops that don’t look like much, all cramped, motley, perhaps even a little worn out by time, but they are nonetheless the pride of the city. Over every neighbourhood you’ll come across at least one of these small kiosks. They are as diverse and numerous (in fact over 1000 in the city) as fundamental to local culture and everyday life. Indeed, whether you want to buy your early morning coffee or drink a comforting »Fassbrause« after a long day, whether you want to pick up an assortment of sweets and snacks or do some last-minute shopping for your evening meal, whether you want to stop for a break or spend a long evening full of »Kölsch« of all kinds, the »Büdchen« is the quintessential Rhineland neighbourhood shop where you will meet everyone, friends, neighbours, strangers, in a spirit of conviviality. They have no other artistic direction than friendliness, casualness and openness to all for all occasions.

Whatever your small desires, the »Büdchen« will be able to satisfy them. It will always be there for you as an unshakeable pillar of Cologne’s life. (Jeanne Lopata)

Alaaf – meaning as much as au fou de partout, to fools everywhere, we greet you!

Mathilde Frank
on behalf of the Cologne Team