Germany's Top Five

Stop and smell the roses at Frankfurt's Palmengarten. The botanic garden comes to life once a year during the Rosen und Lichter Fest, a celebration that has taken place since 1931. On Saturday, June 10, from 3 p.m. to midnight, the garden is transformed into a wonderland of lanterns and candles, which complement a variety of music and dance shows. There is also a program for children, including magicians, clowns and pony rides. The grand finale is a spectacular fireworks display.

Be part of the dialogue on 20th century art. A retrospective exhibit of Gerhard Richter's paintings opened this week in the Lembachhaus in Munich, through Aug. 21. On view are more than 100 paintings, from his start in 1963 until today. Richter has produced a wide ranging and complex œuvre. His painterly production encompasses both representational motifs and completely abstract images. Alongside work in various media, Richter also produces sculptures. The central theme of all of his endeavors, however, is the medium of painting: its principles, limitations, and potentialities. At the same time, Richter explores the question of the function of the image: is it a prospect or vista, a gateway to another world, or perhaps a mirror in which viewers confront themselves?

Browse the stalls at the 20th annual Book Walk Along the Kö on Düsseldorf's Königsallee.The biggest open-air book festival in Germany takes place from June 9 through 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Along with browsing the stalls of 130 booksellers, collectors, publishers, and literary organizations, visitors can attend readings by well known authors and enjoy street entertainment along Germany's famed shopping mile, the Kö. Part of the program is Düsseldorf's annual Poetry Night, with readings till the wee hours.

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and get active at the Festival for Young Politics, an annual Berlin event that colorfully refutes the argument that young people are not interested in politics. From June 10 through 12, Berlin's Wuhlheide park welcomes 10,000 young people for a program of workshops, discussions and presentations on young involvement.Topic range from local issues such as drugs and debts to globalization and international conflicts. The action-packed event is complemented by a program of live bands, sport activities and film screenings, and this year's musical program includes highly-acclaimed German bands Die Fantastischen Vier and Tocotronic, as well as special guest Sir Bob Geldof.

Cut to the chase. To see the maximum number of films in the minimum amount of time, head for the International Short Film Festival. Its taking place June 8 in various cinemas throughout Hamburg. Founded in 1984, the organizers invite filmmakers from all over the world to submit their short films and videos. The selected films attempt to push the boundaries of cinema and enable audiences to broaden their social and political perspectives.