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Oh so British: in 2014, the Union Jack will be flown over Hannover (01.01.2014)

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Oh so British: in 2014, the Union Jack will be flown over Hannover

King George I.

Attention, please: in 2014, things will be ‘oh so British’ in the state capital of Lower Saxony, when Hannover is the central venue of the state exhibition entitled ‘The Hanoverians on Britain’s Throne 1714-1837’. Visitors can relive the era in which the Royals came from Hanover at four major exhibitions, as well as numerous cultural events and concerts, a fireworks display, a specially composed opera and a British garden party. Moreover, the UK will be the CeBIT partner nation from 10 to 14 March. At the world’s largest computer fair, visitors can find out more about the latest trends and innovations in the IT world.

Royal ties through the personal union; the 2014 state exhibition

From 1714 to 1837, the Hanoverians were also the rulers of the British Empire. The 300th anniversary of this personal union has inspired a major federal-state-level exhibition. Between 17 May and 5 October, various exhibitions in Hannover and the nearby medieval royal town of Celle will take visitors on a fascinating voyage of discovery through the history of these German-British ties.

Also a must is a visit to Marienburg Castle. From 1 May to 9 November it will play host to an exhibition, ‘The Path to the Crown’, which also takes up the theme of this special anniversary. For the first time since the Kingdom of Hannover came to an end, the Hanoverian Royal Crown will be on display. To this day, the castle remains the family property of the Guelphs, and owner Ernst August, Hereditary Prince of Hannover, is anticipating many British visitors: “2014 is a special year for the House of Hannover, and I am looking forward to stimulating exhibitions and the highly varied supporting programme.”

Flying the Union Jack: British Year in Hannover

Numerous large-scale events held at regular intervals will also offer a truly regal programme to commemorate the age in which the Royals came from Hannover: at the International Fireworks Competition on 31 May, a British team will captivate audiences with a display of pyrotechnics against the splendid Baroque backdrop of Herrenhausen Gardens; a supporting programme of cabaret and music will provide British entertainment for the whole family. The atmosphere will be ‘very British’ at the Fête de la Musique in Hannover city centre on 21 June – and also at the KunstFestSpiele arts festival in Herrenhausen Gardens, an event unique in Europe whose programme transcends genres and spans both Baroque and modern eras.

In celebration of the ‘royal jubilee’, numerous other events will be staged throughout the year in theatres and parks, at the racecourse, in museums and churches, adding a touch of royal glamour to Hannover. For example, the opera ‘George’ was written and composed specially for the state exhibition, and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Benjamin Britten at Hannover State Theatre will fly the flag for all things British. The Herrenhausen Garden Festival will also celebrate British lifestyle with an ‘Urban Gardening – London Special’ in the English landscaped ‘George Garden’; there will also be a Hanoverian-British Race Day at ‘Neue Bult’ racecourse in Langenhagen.

Hannover’s British year is currently being advertised in London by Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG) in cooperation with Germanwings airline.

Further information on the state exhibition and the wide range of events can be found at www.royals-aus-hannover.de/en and www.visit-hannover.com/en/verybritish .