What´s going on this week?

If you have any questions about the local area, please do not hesitate to contact the "Window to Rheinland-Pfalz - Ramstein Gateway" information center located in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (KMCC) on Ramstein Air Base:

We are there for you Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, December 21:

Advent Concert at the Otterberg Abbey Church

Otterberg´s ancient abbey church is a wonderful venue for the annual Advent concert as it offers sonorous acoustics. Outstanding performers invite you to get in the right mood for the upcoming festive season. The vocal ensemble "Nordic Voices" from Norway presents its Advent program "Solsnu – Solstice and Nordic Christmas". In December, the sun is at its lowest point in Norway. At this time of year, people gather together, have dinner, light candles, and wait for the sun to return over the mountain peaks. This is “Solsnu” – an ancient Norwegian tradition that coincides with the Christian celebration of Christmas, making December a month rich in tradition. This richness is reflected in Norwegian music and in this concert featuring works by Lasse Thoresen (Solbøn, a prayer to the sun), lullabies, and contemporary compositions. For almost 30 years, the six-headed ensemble has been one of the leading ensembles of its genre internationally and has a very broad repertoire covering all styles.

Address: Kirchstrasse 3; 67697 Otterberg

Wednesday, December 31:

New Year´s Eve Road Race in Kottweiler-Schwanden

The annual New Year´s Eve Run is hosted by the Kottweiler-Schwanden sports club. Starting point and finish of the 10 km (6.2 miles) run is at Sulzbachhalle in Kottweiler. The run starts at 2:20 p.m. As in previous years, several hundreds of runners are expected. Participants will be divided into different age groups. The winners will receive trophies and prizes. Participation fee is € 10 for adults and € 5 for children and teenagers. Online registration is possible from November 1 until December 28 by 6 p.m.: https://my.raceresult.com/367609/registration

On the day of the race, people can sign up on the spot from 10 a. m. For further information in English please check on the website:

https://www.sv-kottweiler-schwanden.de/silvesterlauf-2/ausschreibung-silvesterlauf/

Address: Reichenbacher Strasse 66c; 66879 Kottweiler-Schwanden

Until Tuesday, January 6:

Christmas & New Year´s Market in Speyer

Visit Speyer´s atmospheric Christmas market in the heart of the picturesque old town. The market features a great number of stands offering different articles and products as well as food and beverages. Numerous choirs, music bands and artists present an entertaining program. The Christmas market continues as a New Year´s market from December 27 until January 6. Opening hours are daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Besides the market the historic town offers various other places of interest. Don´t miss out on a visit to the Speyer cathedral, the landmark of the city. Exceptional opening hours: Christmas Eve 10 a.m. – 1 p.m./ closed 25th – 26th December/ New Year´s Eve 11 a.m. – 3 p.m./ New Year´s Day 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Address: Maximilianstrasse 13; 67346 Speyer

Until Tuesday, January 6:

Carol Singers in Ramstein-Miesenbach and Surrounding Area

Every year between Christmas and Epiphany, around 330.000 children in Germany dress up as the three magi who followed the star of Bethlehem. As Carol Singers, they bring the blessings of Jesus Christ to every home. With a stick of chalk, the boys and girls write “20*C+M+B+26” above the entrance door. These letters stand for the Latin blessing “Christus mansionem benedicat” which means in English: Christ bless this house. Under this year´s motto "School instead of factory – carol singers against child labor" they collect funds for children in need in other parts of the world. The tradition of the carol singers started in 1959 and within the last decades it has become the biggest act of solidarity worldwide of children generating funds for disadvantaged children. The Kindermissionswerk “Die Sternsinger”, which is the child welfare organization of the Catholic Church in Germany, and the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) are in charge of the activities. On the first weekend in January until January 6, the carol singers will visit the apartments and houses in Ramstein-Miesenbach as well as in other communities. If you would like to welcome the kids at your door please register with the Ramstein parish office (phone: +49 6371 613680) or send an email to pfarramt.ramstein@bistum-speyer.de