Düsseldorf Alive - The Podcast about the city, for the city.

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Düsseldorf Alive brings you the stories, news, and conversations that keep Düsseldorf moving. From culture and business to sports, local politics, events, and the occasional bizarre headline, we cover it all with humor and a local perspective. If it's happening in Düsseldorf, chances are we're talking about it. New episodes every Tuesday.

Episodes

  1. Jun 22

    Episode 4 - Bad Bunny & Baby Geckos

    Contact us via info@duesseldorflebt.de A summer heatwave, carnival royalty, international superstars, and a box full of smuggled geckos. Düsseldorf certainly kept things interesting this week. In this episode of Düsseldorf Alive, we discuss the hot weather currently affecting the city and what the ongoing heatwave means for everyday life along the Rhine. We also take a look at the Rhine ferry and preview the upcoming Rheinkirmes, one of Germany's largest and most iconic funfairs. Carnival season may still be months away, but Düsseldorf has already introduced its new Prinzenpaar, giving us an opportunity to explore one of the city's most beloved traditions. We also visit ART Carlsplatz and discuss how Düsseldorf continues to combine creativity, culture, and urban life. Music fans have plenty to celebrate as well. We talk about the excitement surrounding Bad Bunny's concerts in Düsseldorf and the impact major international artists have on the city. Sports are never far away from the conversation. We review another successful weekend for Rhein Fire, while the Düsseldorf Panther had a more difficult outing. We also look at the Gottfried Schultz Mittsommer Race Day and the Düsseldorf300 cycling race, two events that brought athletes and spectators together across the city. Meanwhile, customs officials made headlines after confiscating illegally imported geckos, providing one of the week's most unusual stories and proving once again that local news can be stranger than fiction. As always, we explore the stories, events, people, and oddities that make Düsseldorf unique. Relaxed, entertaining, and proudly local.

    41 min
  2. Jun 15

    Episode 3 - The Geese Are Taking Over

    Artificial intelligence, Canadian geese, and international sports events ! Welcome back to another week in Düsseldorf. In this episode of Düsseldorf Alive, we discuss the decision to end plans for Düsseldorf's new opera house and why the German Taxpayers Association has praised the move. We also tackle one of the city's more unusual challenges. Canadian geese, whose growing presence in local parks is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Technology is also on the agenda as we take a look at Rheinbahn's latest experiments with artificial intelligence and the return of the Rhine ferry service in cooperation with Uber, offering another way to cross Germany's most famous river. On the sports front, Düsseldorf has been selected as one of the host cities for the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship. We also celebrate victories for the Düsseldorf Panther and Rhein Fire, two teams that continue to put the city on the sporting map. Beyond sports, we explore some of the cultural highlights currently shaping city life, including the Art:Walk event, the Park Life festival, the opening of Die Toten Hosen's farewell tour, and the Marilyn Monroe exhibition attracting visitors from across the region. As always, we combine local news, culture, sports, and the occasional bizarre headline to give you a unique look at life in Düsseldorf. Relaxed, entertaining, and proudly local. If you have any concerns, wishes, requests, feedback, or anything else on your mind, send us an email at info@duesseldorflebt.de.

    41 min
  3. Jun 15

    Episode 2 - Opera Stopped, Caskets Dropped, Robbie Rocked

    If you have any concerns, wishes, requests, feedback, or anything else on your mind, send us an email at info@duesseldorflebt.de What do a stalled opera house, illegal swimming in the Rhine, a €5 billion defense contract, and a funeral trade fair have in common? Somehow, they're all part of another eventful week in Düsseldorf. In this episode, we look back at the biggest stories from Düsseldorf between June 1 and June 7. We discuss the suspension of the city's ambitious new opera house project, the growing number of fines issued to people swimming in the Rhine, and Rheinmetall's massive new contract with Romania. We also take a look at Fortuna Düsseldorf's financial situation, which has led to the club's amputee football team losing its place in Germany's top division. On the sports side, we cover disappointing weekends for both the Düsseldorf Panthers and Rhein Fire, as well as the latest season ticket prices announced by DEG. Meanwhile, Carsten reports back from one of Düsseldorf's more unusual events: the international funeral and undertaker trade fair BEFA. We also talk about carnival float designer Jacques Tilly finding himself in the sights of the Russian legal system once again, Robbie Williams' two concerts in Düsseldorf, the city's annual Pride celebrations, and where football fans can gather to watch the Club World Cup this summer. From politics and business to sports, culture, and the occasional bizarre headline, this is another week of Düsseldorf Alive.

    35 min
  4. Jun 3

    Episode 1 - Trams, Tides and Tropical Flights

    What do a drying Rhine, a Caribbean flight connection, and a missing Miles Davis concert have in common? Somehow, they're all part of this week's journey through Düsseldorf. In this episode of Düsseldorf Alive, we begin with a brief look at the city's history before diving into Düsseldorf's extensive public transport network and the frequent tram accidents that continue to make local headlines. We also explore the effects of low water levels in the Rhine, from shipping challenges to environmental concerns, and explain why swimming in the river remains strictly discouraged despite the summer heat. From there, we head skyward with Düsseldorf Airport's new direct connection to Curaçao, bringing a tropical destination within easy reach of the city. Back on the ground, we discuss efforts to improve the cleanliness of Düsseldorf's central railway station and what that says about one of Germany's busiest transport hubs. The cultural side of the city is represented as well. We examine Düsseldorf's diverse event venues, from intimate stages to major arenas, and uncover the curious story of why jazz legend Miles Davis never performed in Düsseldorf despite the city's rich musical heritage. Finally, we spotlight internationally renowned photographer Andreas Gursky, one of Düsseldorf's most influential artists, and his connection to the final album cover of the legendary punk band Die Toten Hosen. As always, we combine local stories, history, culture, and a touch of humor to show what makes Düsseldorf such a fascinating city.

    44 min

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About

Düsseldorf Alive brings you the stories, news, and conversations that keep Düsseldorf moving. From culture and business to sports, local politics, events, and the occasional bizarre headline, we cover it all with humor and a local perspective. If it's happening in Düsseldorf, chances are we're talking about it. New episodes every Tuesday.