Taylor Swift is about to transform Gelsenkirchen into “Swiftkirchen,” and German Swifties are here for it! For her trio of concerts from July 17th to 19th, this city is rolling out the red carpet in the most literal way. The Tay-Tay invasion was approved by none other than Mayor Karin Welge, who cheekily agreed to a temporary city rebrand, reflecting on some real Swift-mania.
Gelsenkirchen will temporarily be renamed ‘Swiftkirchen’ to celebrate Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ shows in the city. pic.twitter.com/5FUzXmAMze
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 3, 2024
This idea was sparked by Swiftie Aleshanee Westhoff from Emmerich, who suggested the rebrand and also witnessed the unveiling of the very first “Swiftkirchen” sign. The city’s PR head, Markus Schwardtmann, said this was just the start and fans can expect more signs popping up around high-traffic areas. Talk about a way to make sure this is Taylor Swift’s territory.
But surprises don’t end there! Gelsenkirchen is also introducing a Taylor Swift tram, which is bound to become a selfie hotspot, and special red frames throughout the city, all decked out in Swiftie style. What’s more, there’s a customized stone on the local Walk of Fame that will have the singer’s name, adding a splash of color to the area.
So now you know it, Swiftkirchen is a certified Taylor Swift town!
