Hamburg - A 300-vessel parade of ships sailed into the German port of Hamburg on Friday at the start of an annual festival of shipping with Finnish President Tarja Halonen as top guest. "We are so proud that Hamburg chose Finland as partner nation this year," said Halonen, 64, as she stood alongside Mayor Ole von Beust during the ceremonial ringing of a ship's bell to begin the four-day event.
The Finnish theme included a group of booths at the waterside offering Finnish delicacies such as reindeer stew and a concoction of vodka and cranberry liqueur that goes by the name of reindeer blood.
Matti Kartano, 63, from Kuopio, central Finland was turning pieces of salmon on an open fire as hungry revellers, ignoring dozens of nearby stands selling German grilled sausages, waited for a nibble.
"The fish is soaked for a long time in salt water and then we roast it for an hour next to the flames," he explained.
The Finns had also brought three mini-saunas in barrels and a cold tub for anyone willing to try Finland's national pastime with an audience of thousands. However most, eyes were on the ships, including the 117.5-metre Sedov, the world's biggest wind-jammer.
"The commotion is just so fascinating," said visitor Naoko, 26, from Japan, attending her first Hamburg festival of shipping.
Hamburg's fascination with the romance of the sea climaxes every spring with its Port Anniversary weekend.
The event marks the 819th anniversary of a May 7, 1189 charter from Emperor Frederick Barbarossa that freed Hamburg ships from neighbouring barons' tolls on the 80-kilometre voyage down the Elbe River to the North Sea.
City merchants later established a wealthy city-republic in Hamburg that traded with the whole world.
Among vessels in port this weekend are three tall ships, restored boats going back to 1880, warships from five nations and a team of Hamburg tugs that will use their amazing manoeuvrability to perform a dance in formation on the water.
Internet: http://www.hafengeburtstag.de/Content_en/start_e.htm
