Swiftkirchen signs: Renamed German City for Swift concerts gets bids
A newly designed city sign with the lettering ‘Swiftkirchen’ is seen in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on July 17, 2024, prior to the first of three concerts that US musician and pop icon Taylor Swift will perform at the Veltins Arena as part of her ‘Eras Tour’. Swift’s concerts with take place on July 17, 18 and 19, 2024. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)
BERLIN — The German city of Gelsenkirchen, which temporarily renamed itself “Swiftkirchen” before the American superstar played three concerts there in mid-July, said Wednesday it received about 1,400 bids from Germany and abroad for signs it put up with the name.
The new name was one of a flurry of fan attractions around the concerts on July 17, 18 and 19. The city then held an auction for 20 original “Swiftkirchen” signs.
READ MORE:
Taylor Swift Munich concert: Fans swarm hill to watch show for free
Taylor Swift UK concerts: Is she ready to say ‘So Long London’?
Prince William celebrates birthday at Taylor Swift London concert
If you love “The Tortured Poets Department”, listen to these other Taylor Swift songs
The highest offer was 3,000 euros ($3,245), and the 20 highest bidders will be informed by email, the city said in a statement, adding that a total sum for the auction will be announced once all payments have been received. It said one of the winning bids came from outside Germany, but didn’t specify where.
The proceeds will go to a center for girls, a food bank for children and a shelter for women in Gelsenkirchen.
Another “Swiftkirchen” sign is now on display at Germany’s museum of post-World War II history in Bonn, the Haus der Geschichte, the city said.
A former coal mining city, Gelsenkirchen is one of Germany’s poorest. It’s known for the soccer team Schalke, a traditional heavyweight currently in the second division, and its stadium, which sometimes attracts international entertainers like Swift.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
