In front of thousands of spectators on Rathausplatz, the short ceremony, which is once again hosted by NDR presenter Christian Schröder, begins at 7.30 pm with the "ringing" of a ship's bell - three double strokes and a single stroke
Franziska van Almsick, a former world-class swimmer and now a member of the board of Deutsche Sporthilfe (German Sports Aid), will make this maritime announcement. Kiel's new Lord Mayor Torsten Albig will then address the audience. In the presence of State Parliament President Martin Kayenburg and City President Cathy Kietzer, Minister President Peter Harry Carstensen then opens Kiel Week 2009 after a short speech that can be heard from afar. With the typhoon signal long-short-short-long, he gives the "Cast off!" for nine eventful days.
All details at www.kieler-woche.de
