Dance at the King statue.

Crispy Farturas, pig heads and roasted chestnuts: In Lisbon, the New Year's Eve was a welcome opportunity to be a festive feast. Around midnight the people flocking to the streets - on the Praça do Comércio welcome tens of thousands of the new year.
  Lisbon - The paintings of the street artists in the middle of Rua Augusta in Lisbon, the new year has already begun. On the screens yellow tram ride through rows of houses brush strokes, and left at the booth throughout the images are signed with "Giuseppe" and the year, until after midnight to apply. "Tomorrow is the old year passes anyway. This is no longer worthwhile," says the artist at that last day in December.
By Arco Victória moves because of fog in the Rio Tejo wide shopping promenade. There it mixes with the smoke of the furnace in which an old man with a baseball cap chestnuts roast in salt crust. With runzeligen hands klaubt a few chestnuts in a shot from newsprint paper bag. Two euro, "obrigado", thank you.
In the bakery shop window "Casa Brasileira" at the other end of the Rua Augusta pile of eggs to cakes, honey cakes and almond cookies on silver trays. The "bolo rei" - the king cake - there will be only at Christmas and New Year sales. Candied fruits are lit in yellow, red and green on round cakes. Salesladies packages them in boxes A.
The Christmas spirit runs in Lisbon until the new year. About the streets are lit garland of stars, wreaths and bells. In the old quarters of Alfama klettern Nicholas doll with tiled walls and pull up to a balcony railing high flourished. Some of them disappear to the hip in a forest of laundry, through the narrow streets in the December sun dries.
Traditional fair with electric candles victims
At the foot of the winding neighborhood ringing the bells of the Igreja de Sao Domingos to the evening show. On the furrowed columns in the nave, the great earthquake of 1755 and a fire in the 1950s left. Once the verdicts were read out of the Inquisition. Today a father Our resonates through the walls, and behind the pulpit to read a child with the voice of bells Intercessions.
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL-QUIZAP; DDP; Antje Blinda

Flirting with Monster fir.

The Brazilians have the largest. How could it be otherwise in this country that loves superlatives? Here are the most beautiful women, the best footballers, the longest carnival? and the largest floating Christmas tree in the world.
  85 meters measures the monster fir, as much as a 28-storey skyscraper - two years ago, he was in the Guinness Book of Records: Every year at Christmas time will be the largest floating Christmas tree in the world in the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas anchored by a natural lagoon in the middle of The tourist South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. For the inauguration on 29 November gathered 400,000 people, around the waters came to transport collapse.

With folding chairs and coolers full of beer flowing, the Cariocas, as residents of Rio are called, to the event. The lights will glow of Ungetüms flirted and danced until dawn. For the hawkers, the spectacle of the climax of their year: Only Carnival and New Year's Eve on the beach at Copacabana attract more visitors than the tree-hype.
Every year, invites the insurance company, the mega-event sponsors, including the foreign correspondents to visit. The Cariocas, as residents of Rio are called, envy them for the privilege, because ordinary mortals need a safety distance of 150 meters to hold the pontoons.
Sturdy shoes and helmets are required for the excursion on the 530 tonnes heavy monster. On the way to the pier to the visitor soldiers with bullet-proof vests and machine guns against. Photography is strictly prohibited, because the pier is a military exclusion zone, it is adjacent to the landing site for the armored helicopters of the military police responsible for combating the drug mafia in the favelas is responsible.
A small ferry takes visitors to the Christmas tree island. From the vicinity like the construction of a mixture of drilling and missile launching pad, it would be an ideal scenario for a James Bond movie.
Tannenstrasse everything
Fireman Reinaldo Memed keep guard on the platform. He fends Christmas tree from pirates who are trying to pedal out of the pontoons on board, and he controls the massive light and sound machine. Abel Gomes, the director of the spectacle, has the tree with 2.9 million mini-lights and 52 kilometers of light tubes equipped.
It blinks and flashes, lights cone of four giant headlamps wince through the sky over Rio. Every Saturday is fireworks, this year the lights will show the first time by a man accompanied glockenspiel. Evening by 20 clock booms "Jingle Bells" on the Lagoa that Christ wobbles.
Among incidents occurred so far this year not to Bescherung the largest floating Christmas tree in the world is used for firefighter Reinaldo and his colleagues are expected to run uninterrupted. Only once, three years ago, tore the steel fir in a gust of wind started. They drove across the Lagoa, until the opposite bank on ran.
A tractor cleared the Havaristen back quickly, the GAU remained, so Reinaldo: "The tree was like a one."

The Urtürken and Tannenbaum.

Tinsel and lights everywhere: In Istanbul are also conservative Muslims from the global Christmas mood contagious. Especially as the festival fir eh an invention of the Urtürken is, says the researcher renitente Altertum Muazzez Ilmiye Cig.
  After Christmas you need men in Istanbul not long to seek. They are found on the most famous shopping street of the city, the "Istiklal Caddesi. Translated that means: The "road of freedom" (or independence), which is a euphemism is smooth. There are shopping stress, 365 days a year, is here all year gedrängelt.
On the edge of the flood never abreißenden people, specifically in front of a mosque, is Hakan. He is Losverkäufer. And Santa Claus. He carries a three-day beard, a robe with retting Bommel belt and hat and screams good mood "25 million lira!" in the crowd. So much (about 12.5 million euros) which can be in the drawing of lots on New Year's Eve win, then what the people with power on the TV monitor screen.
Hakan is Muslim. Cultural doubt on Weihnachtsmann-existence, he has none. His costume, he has at the bazaar in Eminönü bought for 50 lira. There, he says, there are also small Faltbäumchen plastic and dancing Santas, the bubbles produce. And plush dogs with Santa Claus hat, the "We wish you a merry Christmas" sing. Would be unthinkable to have been a bit earlier, say the people. Devil stuff in the eyes of Strictly believers. Meanwhile, the Christmas holiday in Turkey, but so much of its Christian content resolved that even conservative Muslims tinsel and lights as a "seasonal decoration" get into the house.
Altertum researcher: Tannenbaum is Turkish invention
The festival is only on New Year's Eve? as well as the Christmas tree simply "New Year's tree" is, "Yilbasi agaci". And why the excitement, one might wonder if the cult of the holy fir sowieso basically a Turkish invention? This woman claims that Muazzez Ilmiye Cig. The renitente 93-year-old is ancient scholar and never embarrassed to big words. A few years ago, she caused a sensation with the statement that the Muslim headscarf in pre-Islamic times of the temple have been taken into whores.
Now, Ms. Cig the origins of the Christmas tree in the Central Asian steppe have identified. A long time ago, so she writes, huldigten where the ancestors of the Turks a God, whom she called Ulgen. This God wore a long beard and a long coat, and he lived in a glittering palace in the sky. Reaching the palace was possible only through a huge tree, which the center of the earth to the stars stood. Ulgen order for the winter solstice, who directed him to Urtürken every year on 23 December is a big party from.
Now Ulgen somehow had their prayers. So the people beschmückten a tree with small loops, each loop symbolized a wish. And then they invited their relatives that sang and danced around the tree. A custom, the later the Huns on their Kampfrössern brought to Europe, where he soon took over the Christians.
An interesting theory. At least Losverkäufer Hakan could enjoy. It would be much more than just an employee of the state lottery. It would be a genuine avant-garde, a champion for the renaissance of the holy tree.

Passengers sat in the largest Ferris wheel in the world finds.

Beautiful views in Singapore: The Singapore Flyer "stand still. A short circuit in one of the engines had triggered a power outage. About 160 people waited in the world's largest Ferris wheel six hours to their rescue.
  Singapore - because of a power outage on Tuesday were more than 160 people in the world's largest Ferris wheel in Singapore noted. The shared a spokeswoman of the "Singapore Flyer" with. Accordingly, sat in the Riesenrad 173 people, as against 17 a short time clock in one of the engines caused the blackout. Five were relatively quickly from its awkward position to be saved.
Getty ImagesSingapore Flyer: standstill in dizzying heights

Only after six hours the wheel began to spin again and the remaining passengers were able to leave the 28 gondolas that can accommodate up to 28 passengers have. Firefighters had been in operation for the rescue workers to assist, said the spokeswoman. The guests were exempt medical supplies.
The 165-meter-high Ferris wheel "Singapore Flyer" is, according to the builders 30 meters higher than its counterpart in England, the London Eye. The Singaporean attraction was only the beginning of the year operation.

Thousand years of history as a laser show.

As the first city in a former Soviet republic Vilnius bears the title "Cultural Capital of Europe". 2009, the Lithuanian capital of their past, celebrate the present - and starts with a gigantic light and laser show into the new year.
  Vilnius - The year 2009 is for Lithuania's capital Vilnius and doubly noteworthy: The largest of the Baltic country celebrates the first written mention of the name Lithuania in the annals Quedlinburger 1000 years ago. And first to bear the capital Vilnius with a former Soviet Republic of the title of "Cultural Capital of Europe". Country and city want to deal with authenticity and openness present - and look forward to as many cultural travelers.

"It is important to Europe and the world to remember our past. And it is no less important to present our presence, so that all of us Europeans Lithuania interested in rediscovering their neighborhood," says President Valdas Adamkus the importance of the Year . Lithuania has always been a European country, albeit due to the Soviet occupation of almost 50 years behind the Iron Curtain.
With nonviolent resistance, the Lithuanian population but at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s, the Soviet rulers and troops for centuries - even today by the "Singing Revolution" is spoken. And was not even 20 years, behind only Christmas celebrated Counterparty curtains, so now there are all kinds of Christmas paraphernalia in the soil from the sprießenden giant supermarkets and shopping centers.
The lightness of Vilnius' Baroque School
Many, though not all the wounds of the Soviet era in architecture and infrastructure are in the Old Town of Vilnius healed. Since 1994 it belongs to the Unesco World Heritage Site. Many of the communist regime misuse Catholic churches meet now return to their original destination - for example, the St. Bernard Church, together with the bricks from 33 species Anne Church built the impressive ensemble Gothic forms.
Over nearly 70 stages can be restored to the Bernardine-bell tower climb comfortably. From top offers a view over an astonishing variety of tips steeple.
About 30 prayer houses in the downtown - predominantly Catholic, but also a synagogue and Orthodox - will contribute significantly to the flair of the 544,000-inhabitant city. Artist of the Italian, southern Germany and Austro-Hapsburg Baroque once dominated here together with regional champions the Baroque Vilnius school.
Their lightness combined with the graceful Gothic architecture to a soothing symphony, complete with jewels of classicism as the Old Town Hall and the Cathedral of whites.
The "light architect" Gert Hof visualized in the New Year night with a 20-minute light and laser show, the thousand-year history of Lithuania. Culture around 120 projects with about 900 events under the motto "Live Culture" should be the arc between national and international, between traditional and modern cultural margins. He goes from the "First International Opera Festival Vilnius on an exhibition with the main works of Georgian painter Nikolos Pirosmanaschwili up to a fashion gala at the" Europe's longest catwalk "entangled Gedimino prospektas, the link road between Cathedral and Parliament.
Admission free
Formats such as the "culture night", the "Street Music Festival" and the rock and alternative music festival "Be2gether" at the Belarussian border, more than 2009 out of tradition. With two-thirds of culture bid is free. Up to 30 million euros available for the Cultural Capital program and 55 million euros for infrastructure measures. The renovation of the former Revolution Museum on the National Gallery, the transformation of a former printing plant at a cultural center and the reconstruction of the former Palace of the Grand Duke of Lithuania are Vilnius' Mayor Juozas Imbrasas the top priority construction projects.
Not only for Imbrasas, the state holiday on 6 July, the most significant millennium date: In addition to the opening of the palace as a symbol of Lithuanian state sovereignty takes place on this day, the great singer and dance festival from 1 to 6 July its conclusion. It is also a choir of 30,000 voices to be heard. On the evening of National Day on the initiative of the Society for the beautification of Lithuania also registered at 1000 Castle mountains in the country 1000 fire ignited.
Lithuania is not a mighty country, no intrusive Vilnius city - both want to be discovered. This goes on foot, by bus - and with the balloon. "Vilnius is one of the few cities where a balloon ride over the city center is allowed," said Aurimas Vengrys, a local balloon pilot.

Moloch with music.

Eleven million Brazilian city Sao Paulo is considered ugly and dangerous and is rarely destination for tourists. But amid the gray concrete buildings, there are oases: for example, lively entertainment district. Or flea markets with klampfenden Altherr bands.
  Matheus is in serious trouble. An enemy mob him eingezingelt. Behind him go? S not continue. Swerve to the left? Excluded. A bulliger tower obstructs him the way. Next erupt? Hopeless. Here are the ranks of the characters who threaten him, impenetrable. Whether it perhaps on the right side still a small loophole there? Matheus looks to the side and breathes nervously by.
Luis, the head of the black gang, grins in the safe feeling of triumph. He has Matheus at the wrap. Because of Matheus? white chessmen are not many left. His King is as good as dull. Matheus Gedankenversunken analyzed the sheer impasse? and can not continue like this upset that the folding table on which his chess is built, a pedestrian traffic jam caused. Because Matheus and Luís bear their duel at a flea market from heavily visited. Middle of one of the already narrow paths of Benedito Calixto-square. Them to squeeze past the masses.
Some passerby looks at the players. But not for the reason for the congestion to curse, but out of curiosity. The little scrum here not spoil the mood. Many in passing gnaw at a meat skewers, leave a fried dumplings filled with palm hearts taste or suck on a thick straw, which is a coconut.
It is Saturday afternoon in Sao Paulo? and the exuberance of the Paulistas, as the inhabitants call to significantly increase. That is certainly worth a mention. Because unlike in many South American metropolises dominate at five and a half days a week of hard work and the nature of the Brazilian Eleven-million city. It is financial and economic center. Together with the Sao Paulo metropolitan area comes to around 20 million inhabitants. It is the largest city in the southern hemisphere. Industries has a long tradition here, because Sao Paulo experienced many booms. The trade of tea, coffee, sugarcane and cotton brought prosperity to the city? and millions of immigrants.
Latte macchiato at Brazilian
What could be the ambition of São Paulo symbolize better than the fact that the heart of this city into a banking and insurance miles proposes: Avenida Paulista. In this faceless skyscraper canyon lined up to three kilometers, offices and shopping together Smalls. Avenida Paulista is no boulevard, but it is relatively harmless. Especially for tourists, devastating the reputation of Sao Paulo have in mind, it is a welcome fixture.
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A few kilometers away on the other hand, likes this vast megacity completely off. Nervenzehrender traffic, an endless Betonskyline, verpestete air. In Sao Paulo, as nasty as the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro, the warring neighboring metropolis, could the air that we inhalation, with the naked eye can see.
But even worse: Sao Paulo has no sights of rank. No world-famous beach like Rio de Janeiro. Their lack of sympathetic sentimentality of Buenos Aires or the casual rhythm of Havana? why many cities tourists a bow to make Sao Paulo.
A pity really, because SAMPA? so the short form? is a bustling metropolis. Design and fashion trends are often set here, although superficially aesthetic little understanding in this city seems to be stuck. In his song "SAMPA", the famous Brazilian musician Caetano Veloso disturbing the attraction of São Paulo put: "When I arrived here, I understood nothing," sings Veloso.

Renovation case in white.

Flat roofs and functional forms: In Tel Aviv there is now complete streets in the style of the Bauhaus and Co. Many of the buildings are in poor condition - but among young Israelis is the classic modernism again in vogue.
  Tel Aviv - Even times in the cinema recently? In Israel's bustling metropolis of Tel Aviv is the most stylish and easily available. Here was the Zamenhoffstraße located at the "Cinema" to the hotel converted. A projector in the foyer and posters along the staircase reminiscent of film-fated times. Architecturally acknowledges the complex built in 1939 by Türknauf up to the snow-white facade to the Bauhaus style.
Nothing special in Tel Aviv. Indeed, the second largest city in the country has some 3500 buildings, which from 1928 to 1945 were built and the straightforward ideas of the German Bauhaus and his brothers, International Style and New Objectivity, indulge. In whole streets thus follows the shape of the function, windows merge flush with the facade, airy stairways herald of the "democratic living." Fans come from the astonishment is no longer published. Since the summer of 2003 allowed Tel Aviv to call Unesco World Heritage Site.
In the so-called vorstaatlichen time before 1948 grew only founded in 1909 as one of Tel Aviv on the drawing board designed metropolis on the Mediterranean. Architects from all over the country have made it their task, flat roof houses in countless variations to redefine or the warm climate.
But the weather conditions today to aesthetic problems. Air conditioners and windows walled caves destroy some view floor superstructures or plastic blinds effect of the once-perfect symmetry of the house opposite. In addition, the salty sea air to create the facades. But many home owners lack the money to be listed equitable remediation.
Many residents is the tradition simply does not matter. How is it that, for example, the House of Yiddish theater in the famous Bialikstraße Building has been locked. Only in a few ground floor rooms operates the theater office yet.
City promotes redevelopment
But meanwhile has set up a new way of thinking. Thus, the city administration special programs for Re-storey buildings and renovations are made available. In unoccupied building jewels drew galleries. Not only at the Dizengoff and Rothschild Boulevard, but in some dreamy side streets revive espresso bars and cafes the ground floor zones. They are operated by young Israelis who - well educated and Getting Around in the World - to the effect of the design ambience know. In the Bialikstraße 21, the billionaire Ron Lauder was renovated acts since the beginning of the year with urban promote the Bauhaus Museum.
Now the travel industry as the theme attractors were discovered. Targeted catalogs advertise with "fed Bauhaus" for the city whose name means Spring Hill. Leader of the Bauhaus-shop on Dizengoff Square. Here you find not only the usual devotional objects such as printed mugs, shirts and key rings. The gallery also offers two guided tours and discount cards.
That are all worth seeing city neighborhoods colored style, architects and emergence time. Folded plans give about former and current usage information.
The shop just adjacent to Tel Aviv-style highlight: the Dizengoff Square. The end of the thirties huge roundabout will be created by endless balcony flanked in white bands.
Some of the curved buildings are empty, here and there ruins floors. Several buildings were already awakened to new life, as the couple by Nathaniel built "Cinema." The Paris 1926 were Jews emigrated to deal with in a dream to build: the white city by the sea.