WORLD CUP COMPANION EVENTS

The referees finally make history

World-class football appears to be a rarity in Leipzig. But the supporting programs in the only eastern German city to host World Cup games this summer are definitely top-notch. First, the city is honoring a frequently ignored group: referees. The exhibition "Herr der Regeln" (Lord of the Rules) in the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum is reputedly the first of its kind in the world (March 3 to July 30). The international variety show "Ballrausch" (April 5 to July 1) stages a whirlwind combination of acrobatics, theater and soccer. Even though the country didn't make it to the tournament, Ethiopia is the focus of an exhibition in the Volkshochschule adult education center (May 15 to July 10). "Is Fair Play Offside?" is the theme of numerous special exhibits, readings and marathon movie nights at the museum in the "Runde Ecke" on Dittrichring (May 26 to June 25). And 22 artists - 11 of them German - are featured in the exhibition "Weltelf" (World Eleven) in the Museum der bildenden Künste (June 10 to Aug. 13). Documentaries offering various perspectives on the game are shown in numerous small movie theaters at the DOK Festival (June 11 to 24). Those who prefer live football should head to Augustus Square, where they can watch the games on a huge screen set up in front of the picturesque Leipzig opera house. In addition, on game days the individual nations are being presented on a football avenue in Gottsched Strasse. Meanwhile, the national team of a country that no longer exists plays what may be one of its last games on June 22. The East German team of 1974, including Jürgen Sparwasser who scored the winning goal against West Germany in that year's World Cup, takes on a traditional Lok Leipzig team at Bruno Plache Stadium in a benefit game for children with cancer. The city festival (June 2 to 5) offers a sneak peak at tournament spirit before the World Cup begins. Some 300,000 visitors converge on Leipzig for the music and art program in the city center. The grand finale at Nikolaikirchhof on Sunday evening is a genuine highlight.

SIGHTS

NIKOLAIKIRCHE

Nikolaikirchhof 3

This former church was the birthplace of the peaceful German revolution. It now houses a museum tracing the events that brought down the Berlin Wall.

COSTA COSPUDA

On Koburger Strasse, south side

The name is localese for Cospuden Lake. This unique recreational area on the city's outskirts was created in a former open mining pit.

RESTAURANTS

LA CACHETTE

Pfaffendorfer Strasse 26, Phone 0341/562 98 67

Sophisticated Art Nouveau with a terrace. Try the delicious, unorthodox dishes such as homemade suckling pig liverwurst on hash browns.

MAGA PON

Gottschedstrasse 11, Phone 0341/960 79 22

Known as the after-work hangout for the TV detectives of the popular "Tatort" crime drama series. The really hungry can feed on Würzfleisch, a fricassee of meat in cream sauce.

PUBS

BELLINIS

Barfussgässchen 3-5, Phone 0341/961 76 81

The best bar in the city center where the drinks are shaken and stirred in style.

M-SEVEN

Münzgasse 7, Phone 0341/22 54 04 11

Fairly roomy compared to other Münzgasse pubs. The crowd can settle in to watch soccer while enjoying good drinks.

SHOPPING

MÄDLER PASSAGE

Neumarkt/Grimmaische Strasse

Historic mall built in 1912. High-end luxury shopping. Down below is Goethe's famous Auerbach's Cellar, where a scene of his Faust was set.

GEWANDHAUSSHOP

Augustusplatz 8, Phone 0341/127 03 96

Specializing in classical music, the store offers an extraordinary selection of recordings by the world-famous Gewandhaus Orchestra.