WITH less than two months to go before the opening match of the 2006 World Cup, 12,000 citizens from Freiburg and the surrounding region flocked to the city for a chance to view the World Cup trophy. Having made its journey all over the world, the trophy has started its tour in Germany. "We are bringing the Holy Grail of world football to the fans," organising committee press spokesman Gerd Graus announced at the start of the home leg of the famous trophy's trip around the globe. The excited crowd had to queue for up to 30 minutes in order to secure a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have their picture taken with the original trophy. Freiburg marks the first stop of 21 across Germany's 16 federal states, with FIFA and the organising committee having deliberately selected regions some distance from the venues where matches will be played this summer. The events are designed to thank the fans and, above all, the volunteers who work at the grassroots level. France and Japan staged similar road shows in 1998 and 2002. However, only a duplicate trophy was on show then. This time, the real thing, weighing 6175 kilogrammes and with a height of 37 centimetres, will make the trip of over 3,000 miles throughout Germany, giving fans a one-off opportunity to have their picture taken with the iconic prize held aloft over their heads. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER at a World Cup there will be an official fan fest in each of the 12 host cities in Germany this summer. From Hamburg in the north to Munich in the south, from Leipzig in the east to Cologne in the west, every city has come up with its own individual programme to keep visitors from around the world thoroughly entertained. Conservative estimates gauge that the fan fests will be attended by some seven to eight million people, a remarkable statistic given that just half that number will attend the 64 matches themselves. Fifty-six of the matches are to be shown live on big screens at the fan fest venues, the exceptions being the eight final group games, which are played concurrently. All the live matches will be broadcast courtesy of feeds from different German TV channels and accompanied by a special entertainment and music programme, and entry is free at all locations, with fans from abroad catered for with temporary organising committee "fan embassies". Numerous live radio and television broadcasts will also be made from these central viewing areas, particularly on the days in between games. The biggest party is sure to be held in the capital, Berlin. Throughout the World Cup, the area of the Strasse des 17 Juni (17 June Street) from the Brandenburg Gate as far as the Victory Column will become a two kilometre-long party venue. A wide- ranging programme will keep guests from near and far entertained on 30 separate days -- and not only when there is football. Sporting activities such as mini-football pitches, speed tests and shoot-out challenges will keep the sporty fans happy in Gelsenkirchen, while children are sure to enjoy the Kinderland. There will even be a spa centre offering massages, sun-loungers and cocktails to those female football fans looking to relax and wind down after the tension of the games themselves. In Frankfurt, flanked by the city's skyline, with the Sachsenhausen bank on one side and the museums situated on the other, the fan fest on the main river will feature a giant LED screen. A big stage will be situated between the Alte and Ignatz Bubis bridges and, at night, the entertainment along the banks will link up the river with the rest of the city. The Main Arena will provide an open-air FIFA World Cup theatre for all, in the heart of the city, and free to everyone. On the north bank nearest the city, meanwhile, a mini-football pitch is being set up and other areas will be set aside for stages featuring dance, music and the arts. Fans will also be able to enjoy top quality food, with a wide range of culinary delights available around the country. In the Hamburg Fan Park, for example, there will be a Beach Club with international food in addition to a replica of the legendary former fish market on the banks of the Elbe. In Hanover, visitors will be treated to a gourmet festival, where the countries represented at the World Cup will enjoy pride of place and be able to savour delicious treats from all round the world. Liquid refreshment will also be very much part of the programme, of course, with local and regional beers widely on offer. Cologne has long been renowned for its cultural and historical diversity, friendly people and also for its enthusiastic and fair-minded football fans. Now the whole world will have a chance to see these same qualities in a city which always seems able to conjure up a carnival spirit, regardless of the time of year. Travelling and local fans alike will be able to flock to these central meeting places in the World Cup cities to watch the matches together. The fan fests are being organised by the 12 World Cup host cities, who developed the overall programme in conjunction with the organising committee. The cities are being supported by the four main official partners who are not only financing the equipment, such as video walls, sound and lighting, but will also be laying on special entertainment programmes for visitors.
