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In pictures: Berlin goes green for Paddy's Day

Emma Anderson
Emma Anderson - [email protected]
In pictures: Berlin goes green for Paddy's Day
Photo: Tom Barfield, The Local

Thousands of Berliners from around the world dressed in their Irish best to march in the fifth annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

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The city police told The Local that an estimated 1,200 people marched in the parade, which brought young and old to the streets of Berlin's Kreuzberg district.

The event began with a performance by Irish step dancers with Germans and Irish spectators alike donning kilts, Irish flags and leprechaun hats.

"I saw the show of Micheal Flatley many years ago and wanted to learn," said Irish dancer and Kiev, Ukraine  native Ganna Boitsova of the RIverdance star. "I love Ireland, the culture, although I have never been there."

Irish immigrants said the event helped bring a piece of their homeland into their new home.

"It's about celebrating the wearing of the green," said County Wicklow native Dáire Murray, who has lived in Berlin for 20 years.

"And we're here for the good craic," Murray added, using the Irish term for fun and good conversation.

GALLERY: Berlin celebrates St. Patrick's Day

The parade started shortly after the Irish dancing, with a man dressed as St. Patrick leading a group of people holding up a larger-than-life gold and green snake puppet - a reference to St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland.

The snake was followed by Berlin's bagpipes group, The Black Kilts, playing traditional Scottish tunes.

The parade continued marching through the streets until reaching a beer garden.

Representing the 'Multikulti' spirit of celebrating Irish tradition in the German capital, Dublin native Joyce Redding and her German husband joined the parade, wearing tall Guinness hats.

"I married my English teacher so that she wouldn't get away," Klaus Redding told The Local.

GALLERY: Berlin celebrates St. Patrick's Day

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