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German city changes name to mark Swift show

Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans are expected to go to her shows in "Swiftkirchen".

Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans are expected to go to her shows in "Swiftkirchen". Photo: AAP

A German city is saying “guten tag” to Taylor Swift by temporarily changing its name in her honour while she visits for her Eras tour.

The Swifties are about to take over the German city of Gelsenkirchen, where American superstar Taylor Swift is set to perform at three Eras Tour concerts.

In honour of the singer, the city has renamed itself Swiftkirchen – at least temporarily – to welcome the tens of thousands of fans who are expected to go to her shows on July 17, 18 and 19, German news agency DPA reported.

A yellow city sign with the new name – which translates roughly to Swift’s Church – was unveiled on Tuesday by Swift fan Aleshanee Westhoff, who suggested the name to the city’s mayor and started a petition a few weeks ago.

Mayor Karin Welge thanked the teenager for her “great idea” in a letter accepting the proposal.

The Swiftie sign has been emblazoned with a pink portrait of the pop star in the city centre.

Several more signs “at highly frequented locations in Gelsenkirchen” will be put up in the coming days, city spokesman Markus Schwardtmann told DPA.

One of the poorest cities in Germany, Gelsenkirchen is a former coalmining town that has never recovered from the decline of its main industry.

The Ruhr city is known for its football team, and a massive stadium that occasionally attracts international entertainers such as Swift.

And there is more to come in Germany’s Swiftie town.

The US singer will also receive her own stone on the Gelsenkirchen Walk of Fame, and during her concerts, the city will host open-air parties with karaoke performances.

A “Taylor Swift streetcar” is already up and running, DPA reported.

Swift’s concerts in Gelsenkirchen are sold out and will take place at the Veltins-Arena on Schalke stadium, which has space for up to 70,000 Swifties.

Further Eras Tour shows are planned for Hamburg and Munich.

—AAP

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