Taylor Swift fans are set to visit a German town that will be renamed after their pop icon.
The Ruhr Valley town formerly known as Gelsenkirchen has been renamed Swiftkirchen ahead of US superstar Taylor Swift's three concerts on her Eras Tour later this month.
A yellow sign with the name “Swiftkirchen” and a pink portrait of the pop idol has been erected in the city centre, and several more will be erected at popular locations to honour the tens of thousands of fans expected to visit the city during the concerts on July 17, 18 and 19, German news agency dpa reported.
With Taylor Swift heading to Germany, one city has taken her name — at least for a few weeks https://t.co/j61W4rX1Ds
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 4, 2024
Taylor Swift fan Alesani Westhoff suggested renaming the city in a petition to Mayor Karin Welge, who responded by thanking the teenager for the “wonderful idea.”
The singer will also receive her own memorial plaque on Gelsenkirchen's Avenue of Fame, alongside those of football coach Rudi Assauer and writer Ilse Kimbgis.
Gelsenkirchen is one of the poorest regions in Germany, a former coal mining town that has never recovered from the decline of its coal industry.
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