Win millions if you prove this German city doesn’t exist Posted on 28 August 2019 Tags:Bielefeld, City, Germany, travel A German city is offering €1 million (R17 million) to whoever can prove that it doesn’t exist. Image: Rüdiger Müller The city of Bielefeld in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has been the centre of its own conspiracy theory since 1994. A recent marketing campaign from the Bielefeld city council ramped up the hype with an extravagant prize to celebrate (and debunk) the theory on its 25th anniversary. The movement is credited to Achim Held, who happened to start the conspiracy over the internet in the nineties. Bielefeld, however, is actually one of the larger cities in Germany, with over 341,000 inhabitants, its own university and a number of tourist attractions including the centuries-old Sparrenburg Castle. Many Germans are in on the joke, denying or vaguely dismissing any reference to the city’s existence. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also in on the gag, as well as a McDonalds franchise in the nearby town of Cologne. As to whether anyone will be successful in this challenge remains to be seen. Tourists and locals have been known to get quite creative, posting satirical snaps on social media featuring selfies with German road and shop signs directing travellers towards the city. Here are some of the best: View this post on Instagram Bielefeld .. even it doesn’t exists .. but .. yeahhhh .. staying for 2 days in my old home town .. happy to be back #letsmeetup #Bielefeld #germany #deutschland #city #db #diebahn #leineweberstadt #arminia @bielefeldjetzt #bahnhof #ICE102 #amazing #loveit #iameuropean #myheartiseuropean #happytobebackhome #happy #happytobeback #bielefeldverschwörung #bielefeldconspiracy A post shared by Ch >.. 🐼 ..< ris (@cbunix) on May 30, 2018 at 2:59pm PDT View this post on Instagram Cologne #centralstation #advertising #fastfood #bielefeld #bielefeldconspiracy #conspiracytheory #conspiracy #fake #student #usenet #1994 #hide A post shared by Bridego Leatherslade (@bridego.89) on Sep 18, 2018 at 11:28am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by @rleidl on Dec 13, 2016 at 3:26am PST View this post on Instagram Proof: Bielefeld indeed does not exist! #bielefeldverschwörung #bielefeldconspiracy #bielefeld #autobahn A post shared by //Liis (@sekundenleben) on Jun 15, 2018 at 3:50am PDT Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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