Germany city renames itself Swiftkirchen ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour

Following a suggestion by local fan named Aleshanee Westhoff, who started a petition and wrote directly to Mayor Karin Welge, the city have shared a statement on their official website announcing the name change. “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,” Welge said.

The first sign marking the entrance to "Swiftkirchen" was installed by Westhoff on Tuesday. "Today is the starting signal. We will be installing many more signs in highly frequented places in Gelsenkirchen in the coming days," announced Markus Schwardtmann, the head of the city's public relations department.

| Gelsenkirchen will be temporarily renamed to "Swiftkirchen" in honor of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour'! #GelsenkirchenTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/LgKDE1WVRY

— The Eras Tour (@tswifterastour) July 4, 2024

A Taylor Swift tram is running through the area, and the Walk of Fame in Gelsenkirchen will be updated with a Swift stone. The city and the city marketing company have other activities in store, yet to be revealed. Schwardtmann said: "There will be many small and large surprises so that the Swifties in Gelsenkirchen have a lot to discover."

With the help of City Initiative Gelsenkirchen along with the organisers Julia Meya and Marius Rupieper, Heinrich-König-Platz will be transformed into "Taylor Town" from 17-19 July with lots of offers (swap market, karaoke, tattoos) related to Swift, as well as an opening party to launch her three-day stint in the city.