We're getting a little behind with our posts, so let me share some photos of the weekend before last, when we took the enjoyable opportunity to watch the parade of Drehorgel players along the Ku'damm.
The Drehorgel seems to be known by many different names, both German and English, but the English Wikipedia entry has selected barrel organ. We stumbled upon the fact that the convention of Drehorgel players was in town for the weekend, and that they were planning a parade and public concert.
We made it just in time. The police had just closed part of the Ku'damm (which, between the Classic Car show, Christopher Street Day, and other delights rarely seems open all weekend). We started at the back of the parade and slowly worked our way forward.
Considering that the temperature was close to 100, it was impressive that the ladies and gentlemen were walking a mile or so, pushing (and some, playing) their organs.
The organs themselves were beautiful, with wood inlay and other ornamentation. And the sound was merry, reminding me of carnivals I went to when I was younger.
Almost each of the participant had some sort of toy monkey somewhere on the organ, a reminder that in the old days, live monkeys would dance and do tricks to delight the watchers and attract attention and money.
The police did a great job closing off the cross streets for cars while making it somehow possible for pedestrians to get across. A great time was had by all, and we left (yet again) being amazed how much variety of artistic expression Berlin has to offer.
I saw a restored barrel organ recently (at an event to do with restoration of 1/3 size historical steam locomotive engines) but it wasn't playing. Brings back vague memories of reading about these in story books when I was a child, and being fascinated by the idea of the little monkeys. Amazing there's so many they could have such an event! Enthusiasts are wonderful!
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