Ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, the mayor announced that the city would be renamed ‘Swiftkirchen’.
Yes, you read that right! As Taylor Swift prepares for her Eras Tour stop in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, the city is getting a unique makeover. The mayor has decided to temporarily rename Gelsenkirchen to ‘Swiftkirchen’ in honor of the pop icon.
On July 2, Karin Welge, the mayor of Gelsenkirchen, announced that from July 17 through July 19, the city would proudly bear the name ‘Swiftkirchen’ to celebrate Taylor Swift’s concerts.
According to a Google translated news release on the city’s website, the fun tribute was first suggested by fan Aleshanee Westhoff, who started a petition and wrote to the mayor about the change.
“It’s a great idea to temporarily rename Gelsenkirchen to ‘Swiftkirchen,’ ” Mayor Welge wrote in a response letter to Westhoff, according to the Google translation from German to English. “I’m particularly pleased that you can experience the short-term ‘renaming’ of Gelsenkirchen live and up close in Gelsenkirchen today.”
Markus Schwardtmann, head of Gelsenkirchen’s public relations, confirmed that signs with the new name would soon be visible throughout the city, especially in popular areas.
Mayor Welge expressed her joy, saying, “As mayor, I am of course very happy that Taylor Swift, currently the most successful singer in the world, will be performing three times in Gelsenkirchen. International attention will therefore be back on our city.”
In addition to the name change, the city has planned other Swift-inspired events, including a “Taylor Swift tram” and a commemorative stone on Gelsenkirchen’s Walk of Fame. As the concert dates approach, the city will host a grand open-air party named “Taylor Town,” featuring many exciting activities like a swap market, karaoke, and even tattoos related to Taylor Swift.
Schwardtmann gushed about the city’s plans, saying, “There will be many small and large surprises so that the Swifties in Gelsenkirchen have a lot to discover.” He promises that the fans, known as Swifties, will find plenty to enjoy during Taylor’s visit.
This is not the first time a city has renamed itself in honor of Taylor Swift. In March 2023, Glendale, Arizona, was temporarily renamed “Swift City” to mark the start of her Eras Tour. Later that same year, Santa Clara, California, followed suit and became “Swiftie Clara,” with Swift being declared the honorary mayor.
Before her first performance in ‘Swiftkirchen,’ Taylor Swift will perform at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam from July 4 through July 6. Here’s to an exciting tour and a unique honor for Gelsenkirchen!
