Festival fever caught hold of my life from Pamplona. My second weekend back in Munich was filled with one festival after another!
回到慕尼黑沒多久，第二個週未就已令我應「節」不暇！
It all started with last Saturday 19th July, when I got invited to a town called Kaufbeuren (about 60 km west of Munich) for its medieval Tänzelfest with four other friends. We arrived there at 16:00, which gave my local friend (and guide!) enough time to show us the place before it became filled up with visitors later in the night.
首先是星期六（7月19日）在離慕尼黑一小時車程（約六十公里以西）的小鎮Kaufbeuren有一個名為Tänzelfest的中世紀節，到達時是下午四點，正好趁晚上的高潮未至前，由當地朋友先帶我和朋友一行五人到處逛逛。
The park en route from the railway station to the town centre
由火車站到鎮中心，途經此公園
Entrance to the town centre
鎮中心的入口
The town hall and the court in front of it
市政廳及前面的廣場
Some of the pretty buildings with paintings on their walls 鎮內有些在牆上塗有圖畫的建築物
Churches of the town (right: Klosterkirche/Chloistral Church)
鎮內的教堂（右：修道教堂）
All-weather drinking
全天候喝東西的好去處
What has she done to deserve this?
示眾——幸無殺傷力
There was an uphill part of the town where part of the city wall still stood. The walkway on top of the city wall reminded me a lot of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
鎮內有座小山，走上去不久便是舊城牆現存的部份，牆上有道走廊，令我想起羅騰堡的城牆。
Another drinking place that we actually visited in the evening
當日入夜後，我們到這裡光顧
The city wall and the bird houses
城牆及牆上的鳥屋
A panorama of Kaufbeuren, taken from the Hexenturm (Witch's Tower)
俯瞰Kaufbeuren（從巫師塔Hexenturm攝）
Fünfknopfturm (literally the Five-knob Tower), also a memorial for victims of the First World War
五鈕塔，亦是第一次世界大戰紀念碑
We took a break downhill before the official opening ceremony. After the announcement of the 'festival rules’ by the mayor, a parade in medieval costumes marched from the town hall.
下山後，稍事休息，不久就是開幕禮，由市長公佈「節日規條」後，便有穿著不同中世紀打扮的人從市政廳出發巡遊。
This beer cart brings the beer to the mayor and VIPs at the town hall.
鎮長及貴賓的專用啤酒車
Left: drummers wearing the enblem of Kaufbeuren 左：穿著Kaufbeuren徽號的鼓手
Right: an ancient crime brought to modern light! 右：千古罪人！
The walk through the streets of Kaufbeuren was a journey back in time.
不祇是巡遊，滿街的服飾、展品和活動都來一個時光倒流。
Gladiators and their supplies
鬥士和他們的裝備
Steeped in tradition: music (top left), (top right) and pottery (left)
傳統手藝：音樂（左上）、冶鐵（右上）及陶瓷（左）
Jugglers (above two) and busker (left) standing tall
高高在上的雜耍者（上兩圖）和賣藝者（左）
As night descended, the streets were packed with people enjoying their food, drinks and live performances.
這個中世紀節愈夜愈熱鬧，到處都擠滿吃喝和看表演的人群。
The courtyard in front of the town hall brightened up shortly after 22:00, as the fire show was underway. We saw a drumming show with flaming sticks, accompanied by bursts of fire as special (human) effects. It was followed by a sword play between two swordsmen who were running around the court, waving their swords and striking sparkles as they hit their weapons against the ground. Then it was the turn of jugglers who were literally playing with fire. We only saw the start of it as we had to rush for the last train back to Munich.
十點過後，市政廳前火光熊熊，各人輪流以火為主題作表演，先有以火棒擊鼓伴以噴火，然後有兩人跳到廣場中央舞起劍來，那些劍刮到地上時，擦出一列火花，在黑暗中從遠看，但見刀光劍影中有兩個影子在廣場內飄蕩、比武，到後來有一班人以火玩雜耍，可惜未入高潮，祇看過拋火瓶，便得趕搭尾班車回慕尼黑了。
Drumming performance (see also the video below)
火棒擊鼓（亦可看以下短片）
Sword play
舞劍
Juggling with fire 玩雜耍玩出火！
That train trip brought us from medieval fantasies to the harsh reality. The normally one-hour trip dragged on for an extra 1 1/2 hours due to technical problems with the original train, then changing for a replacement bus as the next train could not go past track works, and waiting for one more train. What made this extra harsh for us was that we could not afford to sleep for too long, because we had other plans lining up later on the same day!
那班本來祇需一小時的尾班車，因壞車、換車後中途有路軌維修又要再換接駁車、之後等車，結果讓各人折騰了額外一個半小時，不過回家後（已是第二天了）不可大睡一覺，因為第二天中午起又有其他節慶活動「節」踵而來！
The same group plus one more went into the city, to find the whole place turned into a festival central. Munich is still celebrating its 850th anniversary since the official start in mid-June. As part of the celebrations, the streets on one side of the Hofgarten put on demonstrations for various sports and related activities, which of course was a big draw card for kids.
我們五人再加另一人在第二天中午往慕尼黑市中心，那裡可熱鬧呢！今年適逢慕尼黑850週年紀念，沒想到慶祝活動由六月中起直至現在仍在舉行，從皇室花園（Hofgarten）走出來，滿街都是不同體育活動的示範和表演，特別吸引孩童。
Art work around the Hofgarten 皇室花園的藝術品
One of the many open-air concerts around town
市中心眾多露天音樂會之一
Interested in trying any of these? 有興趣試試嗎？
The sweat-less option!
不想出汗嗎？
That was actually a side-track from our original destination of Englischer Garten (English Garden), where the Japanfest was held. The festival offered more than what the traditional arts and culture that we were expecting. Popular culture has made its mark in the form of the eye-catching, sometimes outlandish Cosplay costume. It clearly had a following and appeal across all boundaries physical, sovereign and cultural!
那天出市中心，目的其實是前往在英國花園（Englischer Garten）舉行的日本祭，也想不到是集傳統和流行文化於一身，最吸引我們目光的，倒不是甚麼傳統藝術，而是一身Cosplay裝束的德國男女！日本流行文化的勢力可真無遠弗屆。
Manga fans: recognise these characters?
各位漫畫迷認得這些人物嗎？
The Japanfest took place in the part of the English Garden containing a Japanese garden, and its activities catered for all interests as well as senses. My ears got a treat from two choir performances, the first of which was from an amateur group of Japanese ladies residing in Munich. They performed three songs, including the well-known folk song Sakura. Another group came all the way from Nagasaki and performed more traditional folk songs for us.
日本祭在英國花園內的有一個日式庭園的一角舉行，有靜態的展覽，也有活力澎湃的表演，有看的，也有聽的，我便聽了兩場合唱，先是一群在慕尼黑的日本婦女的業餘合唱團，表演了三首歌，其中包括耳熟能詳的《櫻》。後來有來自長崎的男合唱團，表演其他民歌。
Zen 禪道
The flying carps
鯉魚旗
Jiyuka (free-style) floral art 華道（自由花）
Drumming (left) and puppet show (right)
鼓樂（左）及木偶劇（右）
Sakara 《櫻》
Another Japanese folk song 另一首日本民歌
As the Japanfest finished at 17:00, we had more time to check out the ‘adult section’ of the 850th anniversary celebrations (we jokingly dubbed the part before the Japanfest the ‘kiddy section’ as it was all for children!)
日本祭到五點結束，離開英國花園後，我們繼續參觀慕尼黑850週年「成年部」的慶祝活動（其中一人打趣道，之前看到的是「小童部」，因為有不少小童活動！）
The Ferris wheel at the Wittelsbacherplatz
在Wittelsbacher廣場的摩天輪
An aeroplane engine on display (for Airbus A300, Boeing 747-200 and MD-10)
飛機引擎（用於空中巴士A300、波音747-200及MD-10）
More open-air concerts 更多露天音樂會
A timely prompt for dinner!
看到也想吃——是時候吃飯了！
After dinner, we strolled along the Isar river and came upon the Friedensdenkmal mit Friednsengel (Peace Memorial and Peace Angel). We had the whole place to ourselves and enjoyed the view of the fountain and the memorial in sunset.
晚飯後，我們一同沿着市內的Isar河散步，來到和平紀念碑與和平天使（Friedensdenkmal mit Friednsengel），倘大的上、下層廣場，祇有我們六人欣賞由噴泉、紀念碑和夕陽構成的美景。
Following another short walk, we came across the Maximilianeum, which is home to the Bavarian parliament. While I’ve been past it a couple of times, I’ve never been able to walk up the hill to the parliament building until now, as the road was normally closed off. Everyone took the opportunity to have a good look of Munich from this special vantage point.
之後繼續到鄰近的巴伐利亞議會（Maximilianeum），那裡我在外面經過兩、三次了，不過從沒機會走上高處（通常封了路），這次走運了，可以從議會的小山上盡覽平時看不到的景色。
What a relaxing way to wind down from an eventful weekend!
一個多姿多采的週末，就這樣輕鬆完結。
回到慕尼黑沒多久，第二個週未就已令我應「節」不暇！
It all started with last Saturday 19th July, when I got invited to a town called Kaufbeuren (about 60 km west of Munich) for its medieval Tänzelfest with four other friends. We arrived there at 16:00, which gave my local friend (and guide!) enough time to show us the place before it became filled up with visitors later in the night.
首先是星期六（7月19日）在離慕尼黑一小時車程（約六十公里以西）的小鎮Kaufbeuren有一個名為Tänzelfest的中世紀節，到達時是下午四點，正好趁晚上的高潮未至前，由當地朋友先帶我和朋友一行五人到處逛逛。
The park en route from the railway station to the town centre
由火車站到鎮中心，途經此公園
Entrance to the town centre
鎮中心的入口
The town hall and the court in front of it
市政廳及前面的廣場
Some of the pretty buildings with paintings on their walls 鎮內有些在牆上塗有圖畫的建築物
Churches of the town (right: Klosterkirche/Chloistral Church)
鎮內的教堂（右：修道教堂）
All-weather drinking
全天候喝東西的好去處
What has she done to deserve this?
示眾——幸無殺傷力
There was an uphill part of the town where part of the city wall still stood. The walkway on top of the city wall reminded me a lot of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
鎮內有座小山，走上去不久便是舊城牆現存的部份，牆上有道走廊，令我想起羅騰堡的城牆。
Another drinking place that we actually visited in the evening
當日入夜後，我們到這裡光顧
The city wall and the bird houses
城牆及牆上的鳥屋
A panorama of Kaufbeuren, taken from the Hexenturm (Witch's Tower)
俯瞰Kaufbeuren（從巫師塔Hexenturm攝）
Fünfknopfturm (literally the Five-knob Tower), also a memorial for victims of the First World War
五鈕塔，亦是第一次世界大戰紀念碑
We took a break downhill before the official opening ceremony. After the announcement of the 'festival rules’ by the mayor, a parade in medieval costumes marched from the town hall.下山後，稍事休息，不久就是開幕禮，由市長公佈「節日規條」後，便有穿著不同中世紀打扮的人從市政廳出發巡遊。
This beer cart brings the beer to the mayor and VIPs at the town hall.
鎮長及貴賓的專用啤酒車
Left: drummers wearing the enblem of Kaufbeuren 左：穿著Kaufbeuren徽號的鼓手
Right: an ancient crime brought to modern light! 右：千古罪人！
The walk through the streets of Kaufbeuren was a journey back in time.
不祇是巡遊，滿街的服飾、展品和活動都來一個時光倒流。
Gladiators and their supplies
鬥士和他們的裝備
Steeped in tradition: music (top left), (top right) and pottery (left)
傳統手藝：音樂（左上）、冶鐵（右上）及陶瓷（左）
Jugglers (above two) and busker (left) standing tall
高高在上的雜耍者（上兩圖）和賣藝者（左）
As night descended, the streets were packed with people enjoying their food, drinks and live performances.
這個中世紀節愈夜愈熱鬧，到處都擠滿吃喝和看表演的人群。
The courtyard in front of the town hall brightened up shortly after 22:00, as the fire show was underway. We saw a drumming show with flaming sticks, accompanied by bursts of fire as special (human) effects. It was followed by a sword play between two swordsmen who were running around the court, waving their swords and striking sparkles as they hit their weapons against the ground. Then it was the turn of jugglers who were literally playing with fire. We only saw the start of it as we had to rush for the last train back to Munich.
十點過後，市政廳前火光熊熊，各人輪流以火為主題作表演，先有以火棒擊鼓伴以噴火，然後有兩人跳到廣場中央舞起劍來，那些劍刮到地上時，擦出一列火花，在黑暗中從遠看，但見刀光劍影中有兩個影子在廣場內飄蕩、比武，到後來有一班人以火玩雜耍，可惜未入高潮，祇看過拋火瓶，便得趕搭尾班車回慕尼黑了。
Drumming performance (see also the video below)
火棒擊鼓（亦可看以下短片）
Sword play
舞劍
Juggling with fire 玩雜耍玩出火！
That train trip brought us from medieval fantasies to the harsh reality. The normally one-hour trip dragged on for an extra 1 1/2 hours due to technical problems with the original train, then changing for a replacement bus as the next train could not go past track works, and waiting for one more train. What made this extra harsh for us was that we could not afford to sleep for too long, because we had other plans lining up later on the same day!
那班本來祇需一小時的尾班車，因壞車、換車後中途有路軌維修又要再換接駁車、之後等車，結果讓各人折騰了額外一個半小時，不過回家後（已是第二天了）不可大睡一覺，因為第二天中午起又有其他節慶活動「節」踵而來！
The same group plus one more went into the city, to find the whole place turned into a festival central. Munich is still celebrating its 850th anniversary since the official start in mid-June. As part of the celebrations, the streets on one side of the Hofgarten put on demonstrations for various sports and related activities, which of course was a big draw card for kids.
我們五人再加另一人在第二天中午往慕尼黑市中心，那裡可熱鬧呢！今年適逢慕尼黑850週年紀念，沒想到慶祝活動由六月中起直至現在仍在舉行，從皇室花園（Hofgarten）走出來，滿街都是不同體育活動的示範和表演，特別吸引孩童。
Art work around the Hofgarten 皇室花園的藝術品
One of the many open-air concerts around town
市中心眾多露天音樂會之一
Interested in trying any of these? 有興趣試試嗎？
The sweat-less option!
不想出汗嗎？
That was actually a side-track from our original destination of Englischer Garten (English Garden), where the Japanfest was held. The festival offered more than what the traditional arts and culture that we were expecting. Popular culture has made its mark in the form of the eye-catching, sometimes outlandish Cosplay costume. It clearly had a following and appeal across all boundaries physical, sovereign and cultural!
那天出市中心，目的其實是前往在英國花園（Englischer Garten）舉行的日本祭，也想不到是集傳統和流行文化於一身，最吸引我們目光的，倒不是甚麼傳統藝術，而是一身Cosplay裝束的德國男女！日本流行文化的勢力可真無遠弗屆。
Manga fans: recognise these characters?
各位漫畫迷認得這些人物嗎？
The Japanfest took place in the part of the English Garden containing a Japanese garden, and its activities catered for all interests as well as senses. My ears got a treat from two choir performances, the first of which was from an amateur group of Japanese ladies residing in Munich. They performed three songs, including the well-known folk song Sakura. Another group came all the way from Nagasaki and performed more traditional folk songs for us.
日本祭在英國花園內的有一個日式庭園的一角舉行，有靜態的展覽，也有活力澎湃的表演，有看的，也有聽的，我便聽了兩場合唱，先是一群在慕尼黑的日本婦女的業餘合唱團，表演了三首歌，其中包括耳熟能詳的《櫻》。後來有來自長崎的男合唱團，表演其他民歌。
Zen 禪道
The flying carps
鯉魚旗
Jiyuka (free-style) floral art 華道（自由花）
Drumming (left) and puppet show (right)
鼓樂（左）及木偶劇（右）
Sakara 《櫻》
Another Japanese folk song 另一首日本民歌
As the Japanfest finished at 17:00, we had more time to check out the ‘adult section’ of the 850th anniversary celebrations (we jokingly dubbed the part before the Japanfest the ‘kiddy section’ as it was all for children!)
日本祭到五點結束，離開英國花園後，我們繼續參觀慕尼黑850週年「成年部」的慶祝活動（其中一人打趣道，之前看到的是「小童部」，因為有不少小童活動！）
The Ferris wheel at the Wittelsbacherplatz
在Wittelsbacher廣場的摩天輪
An aeroplane engine on display (for Airbus A300, Boeing 747-200 and MD-10)
飛機引擎（用於空中巴士A300、波音747-200及MD-10）
More open-air concerts 更多露天音樂會
A timely prompt for dinner!
看到也想吃——是時候吃飯了！
After dinner, we strolled along the Isar river and came upon the Friedensdenkmal mit Friednsengel (Peace Memorial and Peace Angel). We had the whole place to ourselves and enjoyed the view of the fountain and the memorial in sunset.
晚飯後，我們一同沿着市內的Isar河散步，來到和平紀念碑與和平天使（Friedensdenkmal mit Friednsengel），倘大的上、下層廣場，祇有我們六人欣賞由噴泉、紀念碑和夕陽構成的美景。
Following another short walk, we came across the Maximilianeum, which is home to the Bavarian parliament. While I’ve been past it a couple of times, I’ve never been able to walk up the hill to the parliament building until now, as the road was normally closed off. Everyone took the opportunity to have a good look of Munich from this special vantage point.
之後繼續到鄰近的巴伐利亞議會（Maximilianeum），那裡我在外面經過兩、三次了，不過從沒機會走上高處（通常封了路），這次走運了，可以從議會的小山上盡覽平時看不到的景色。
What a relaxing way to wind down from an eventful weekend!
一個多姿多采的週末，就這樣輕鬆完結。
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