In 2014, the Union Jack will fly over Hanover for a typically British year

In fact, Hanover will be the center of the state exhibition titled “The Hanoverians on Britain’s Throne 1714–1834.” Visitors will be able to relive the era when the royal family came from Hanover through four major exhibitions, as well as numerous cultural events and concerts, a fireworks display, an opera composed especially for the occasion, and a traditional British garden party.

Royal Ties as Seen Through the Personal Union; the 2014 State Exhibition

From 1714 to 1834, the House of Hanover ruled the British Empire. The 300th anniversary of this personal union has inspired a major exhibition organized at the federal level. From May 17 to October 5, several exhibitions in Hanover and the nearby medieval royal city of Celle will take visitors on a fascinating journey full of discoveries tracing the history of German-British ties.

A visit to Marienburg Castle is also a must. From May 1 to November 9, it will host the exhibition “The Path to the Crown,” which will also explore the theme of this special anniversary. For the first time since the end of the Kingdom of Hanover, the Royal Crown of Hanover will be on display. Even today, the castle remains part of the family estate of the House of Guelph, and its owner, Ernst August, Hereditary Prince of Hanover, plans to welcome many British visitors: “2014 is an exceptional year for the House of Hanover, and I look forward to presenting these fascinating exhibitions and the highly varied program that accompanies them.”

Under the Union Jack: A Year of British Culture in Hanover

In addition, numerous large-scale events held at regular intervals will offer a regal program to commemorate the era when the Royal Family hailed from Hanover: During the International Fireworks Competition on May 31, the British team will captivate the audience with a fireworks display set against the baroque backdrop of the magnificent Herrenhausen Gardens, and the accompanying cabaret and music program will offer quintessentially British entertainment for the whole family. On June 21, the atmosphere of the Fête de la Musique will also be purely British in downtown Hannover, as will the KunstFestSpiele art festival in the Herrenhausen Gardens—an event without parallel in Europe, whose program transcends genres and spans both the Baroque and modern eras.

To celebrate the “Queen’s Jubilee,” numerous other events will be held throughout the year in theaters, parks, museums, churches, and at the racetrack, adding a touch of royal prestige to Hanover. For example, the opera “George” was written and composed specifically for the state exhibition, and Benjamin Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Hanover State Theater will feature the colors of the British flag. The Herrenhausen Garden Festival will also celebrate the British way of life with an “Urban Garden—London Special” at the heart of the “George Garden,” which is landscaped in the British style. A race day will also be organized, during which Hanoverians and Britons will compete at the “Neue Bult” racetrack in Langenhagen.

Hanover's "British Year" is currently the focus of an advertising campaign in London organized by Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG), in collaboration with the airline Germanwings.

HMTG offers several group rates and travel packages that include one night's lodging to accommodate everyone planning to visit the city for the state exhibition and the events that will mark the Year of Britain in Hanover.

For more information about the State Exhibition and the many events, visit http://www.royals-aus-hannover.de/en and http://www.visit-hannover.com/en/verybritish.

For more information, visit www.hannover.de/fr and www.visit-hannover.com/en/press