125 Years Berkemann
The anniversary celebration in Hamburg
29.06.2010 Berkemann rocks Hamburg:
Shortly before midnight, the walls of the MagnusHall in Hamburg shook. The band "The Clogs" had put on the Rock ´n Roll Toefflers made exclusively for them by Berkemann and really stirred up the guests on the dance floor with their song "In Clogs".
Through Hamburg's harbour
But that was only one highlight of the anniversary celebration on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the traditional shoe manufacturer. The day had started in Hamburg's "Schietwetter" ("awful weather") at the Überseebrücke with a two-hour harbour excursion on the paddle steamer "Mississippi Queen" – and at that time, St. Peter was not well inclined towards the more than 400 guests, for there was quite a breeze off the North Sea that nearly blew the chairs across the upper deck. On the two decks located in the interior, however, things were a lot calmer. A Hamburg accordion player performed shanties and the guests had a first opportunity to get to know each other while enjoying butter cake and coffee.
And off to the "MagnusHall"
From the Überseebrücke, the guests made their way to the event hall, which is located at a branch of the River Elbe but still part of Hamburg's extensive harbour area. After the sparkling wine reception, the guests seated themselves at long tables decorated in white and red and the manager, Mr. Thomas Bauerfeind, personally welcomed them in his speech.
Many colleagues from Hungary
Shortly before the speech began, nearly 200 of our Hungarian colleagues also arrived at the venue. They produce Berkemann shoes by hand in Kiskunfelegyhaza, approx. 100 km southeast of Budapest. They had already had a full day with a four-hour city tour and a trip on a launch through the Hamburg harbour with Hungarian guides who showed them the most beautiful sights of Hamburg. And in the hall prepared especially for our Hungarian colleagues, the same programme that delighted the guests in the main room took place in Hungarian - albeit it with a little delay.
"Dinner Drumming" for dessert
After the speech, an abundant buffet offering, among other things, North Sea crab cocktail, Holsteiner Katenschinken (smoked ham, a Northern German speciality), rolled plaice fillets and Züricher Rahmgeschnetzelten (sliced cream of pork) made for evidently satisfied guests. And the dessert had to be "earned" first – 15 minutes of "Dinner Drumming" with the dessert dishes provided for a boisterous mood before the birthday cake was carried into the darkened hall, covered with sparklers in dreamboat style.
Show time for "The Clogs"
Now the moment had come to connect both halls – because partying overcomes every language barrier. And so our Hungarian colleagues also flooded the dance floor to the first guitar chords by the "Clogs" and rocked the hall together with our German and international guests.
And the first performance of the "Clogs" was not the only one – the second performance once again made for a concert-like atmosphere. Then, at around 1am, after eleven hours of packed programme, the festivities came to an end - at least in the hall.
The most sinful mile of the world
Because 200 of the guests had not yet seen enough of Hamburg and followed the Berkemen to the "most sinful mile of the world". Here, they had the choice between watching a cabaret show at the legendary "Pulverfass" or taking a guided tour through the Reeperbahn, where even travesty star "Olivia Jones" and TV cook and Hamburg native "Tim Mälzer" were spotted.
The grand finale - a stroll over the fish market
The grand finale was then the obligatory visit to the fish market for all night owls and party animals, and indeed, over 100 guests and all of the Hungarian colleagues had fish sandwiches to start into Sunday, which was announcing itself with the first rays of the sun.
The entire Berkemann team would like to say thank you for the enthusiastic participation and this unforgettable day in Hamburg with you!
Exhibition of Berkemann treasures
In the context of the anniversary celebration, Berkemann treasures were presented in glass display cases in the foyer of the event hall in a proud and worthy manner. We would like to once again give our sincerest thanks to all dealers, who supported us by contributing decoration articles from the last decades.
This month, we will award the most beautiful "treasure" and announce the winner of the weekend in Hamburg in the next edition of the "Berkemann Brücke" magazine.
