The German city of Gelsenkirchen, known for its recent temporary name change to 'Swiftkirchen' in honor of the American superstar Taylor Swift's concerts held in mid-July, has reported a successful auction of original 'Swiftkirchen' signs. The city received approximately 1,400 bids from both Germany and abroad for these unique signs.
As part of the fan attractions surrounding the concerts on July 17, 18, and 19, Gelsenkirchen decided to auction off 20 original signs bearing the name 'Swiftkirchen.' The highest bid reached an impressive 3,000 euros ($3,245), with the top 20 bidders set to be notified via email. The city plans to announce the total sum raised from the auction once all payments have been received.
Notably, one of the winning bids came from outside Germany, although the specific location was not disclosed. The proceeds from the auction will be directed towards supporting various charitable causes in Gelsenkirchen, including a center for girls, a food bank for children, and a shelter for women.
Furthermore, a 'Swiftkirchen' sign has found a new home at Germany's museum of post-World War II history in Bonn, the Haus der Geschichte, adding to the legacy of this unique event.
Gelsenkirchen, a former coal mining city and one of Germany's economically challenged areas, is perhaps best known for its soccer team Schalke, currently competing in the second division, and its stadium, which occasionally hosts international entertainers like Taylor Swift.
