A festival for the senses: São João in Groß-Umstadt enthusiastic!

A festival for the senses: São João in Groß-Umstadt enthusiastic!

Groß-Umstadt, Deutschland - The charming city of Groß-Umstadt, about 50 kilometers southeast of Frankfurt am Main, has deservedly earned the title "Klein-Portugal". This name goes back to an eventful story: In the 1960s, the first Portuguese, Antonio Carneiro, remained here due to a motorcycle breakdown and thus laid the foundation for the largest Portuguese community in Germany in relation to the entire population. Loud Reisere reporter Life in the city approx. 22,000 Residents and the influence of Portuguese culture can be felt everywhere.

The city is not only known for its friendly people, but also for the large number of culinary offers. Family businesses such as the Costa Verde and restaurants such as Clube Operário Português, Sampa’s Restaurant and Kutscherhaus spoil the guests with authentic Portuguese and Spanish cuisine. The cultural offer is rounded off by the Portuguese club of Groß-Umstadt, which was founded in 1969. This club has made a name for itself through numerous cultural activities and integration into society and was awarded an honorary medal in 1998.

celebrate as in Portugal

A special highlight is the upcoming "German Portuguese Familiarity Festival", which will take place this year from June 23 to 25 at the Alte Festplatz. This festival, which was launched in 1989, does not have to hide behind other festivals. Friday evening starts at 8 p.m. with live music from the band "Haifly". On Saturday at 6 p.m. the festival will be officially opened by Mayor René Kirch and the Groß-Umstadt wine sovereignty. The Portuguese band "Supernova" provides musical entertainment from 8 p.m. The traditional St. John's fire is ignited at 10 p.m., another highlight of the festival.

Sunday starts at 11 a.m. with a German-Portuguese service on the market square. In connection with various performances by dance groups for children, and from 4 p.m. there will be a resignation of the band "Supernova". In addition to these events, a trade show on the subject of mobility on Saturday and Sunday also attracts, and the Sunday open for sales invites you to stroll in the domestic business world. These events are not only an eye -catcher, but also strengthen the community and bond with Portuguese culture.

a flowering community

The Portuguese diaspora has a long history in Germany that goes back to the 16th century. Over the years, numerous Portuguese have immigrated to their new home due to economic challenges. Around 140,275 Portuguese lived in Germany in 2023, with many being based in North Rhine-Westphalia. Gastronomy is one of the areas in which Portuguese are particularly committed, and the culinary tradition is also strongly present in Groß-Umstadt. The city has developed into a refuge for Portuguese culture, which is also reflected in the partnership with Santo Tirso, a wine town near Porto, which has existed since 1988.

The impressive architecture of the city, especially the market square with the Renaissance Rathaus from the 17th century and the city church from 1494, also attracts numerous visitors. The surrounding natural areas, such as the Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald, also offer the best conditions for hikes and mountain biking, including on the seven-kilometer-long theme path "Klein-Umstadt".

Groß-Umstadt not only shows how alive Portuguese culture is in Germany, but also offers a platform for integration and joint celebrations. The combination of tradition, culinary and community life makes the city a real insider tip in Hesse.