European Capital of Culture 2010 - Essen - Kulturhauptstad Europas Complete English Visitor Guide to Essen 2010 European Capital of Culture! :: Forum

Europe's Capital of Culture Prepare for 2010 [travelagentcentral.com] [by editor]

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:30:03 +1700

Event News::[News] Europe's Capital of Culture Prepare for 2010 [travelagentcentral.com]
From travelagentcentral.com article 12/17/2009

Next year, Europe will have three capitals of culture in Istanbul, Turkey, Essen, Germany and Pecs, Hungary. Like the Olympics, the resulting attention often brings infrastructure projects that revitalize the local economy while showcasing creativity.

Essen is officially a cultural capital for 2010 but the events will take place over the entire Ruhr region. This once blighted area is showcasing its achievement in transforming a vast industrial region into a hub of artistic creation and beauty. The Gasometer in Oberhausen, for example, once a gas storage tank is now a vast exhibit space hosting “Out of this World,” the world’s largest walk through recreation of our solar system, through 2010. In Mülheim, a water tank now hosts the world’s largest walk-in camera obscura, a darkened room where images from 10 miles away are projected onto a huge disk.

Other highlights of the region include the Center for International Light Art, and the Zeche Zollverein, once Germany’s largest coal mine, now a museum with coal-blackened walls. Duisberg’s Landscape Park, a former iron works, is a multi-use park where rock climbers ascend the walls of former storage bunkers, bicyclists ride down elevated paths that once served raw material-laden trains, and skin divers descend into an water-filled gas tank filled with a sunken plane and car. Lots of good hotels, restaurants and a bustling nightlife draw a diverse, hip crowd.

RUHR.2010 - European Capital of Culture [travelvideo.tv] [by editor]

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:09:02 +1700

Event News::[News] RUHR.2010 - European Capital of Culture [travelvideo.tv]
From Travelvideo.tv article 12/15/2009

RUHR.2010 - European Capital of Culture

Creative transformations in Germany’s former industrial engine turn region into a destination of unusual locations for the arts and public events Since the 1970s Germany’s industrial heartland, the Ruhr River valley area, has undergone a remarkable transformation-so remarkable that it’s been declared Europe’s Capital of Culture for the coming year. Represented by the city of Essen, this greater urban area in north western Germany, where 53 towns and cities have all but amalgamated, is home to five million citizens who no longer have heavy industry as their major employer.

They might still commute to the same places, but where coalmines, coking plants and smokestacks once spoke of hard physical labour, today people visit gigantic gas storage silos and collieries to see art exhibits and enjoy live music, theatre and movies.

In the Essen/Ruhr Valley region, “romantic Germany” has gained an innovative, young, sometimes provocative sibling, but one thoughtful enough to not simply dismiss-or dismantle-what once was its source of income and pride. The 400- kilometre-long Route of Industrial Heritage takes visitors past many converted former industrial complexes, including the first UNESCO Industrial World Heritage Site, the Zollverein coal mine in Essen. More than 20 such self-guided routes address specific themes of interest and are signposted throughout the area, ranging from Krupp and the City of Essen to Bread, Grain and Beer.

The city of Duisburg, at the area’s western edge, has transformed a steelworks site into its Duisburg-Nord Industrial Landscape Park that includes, predictably, an exhibition about the history of the steelworks, but also Europe’s largest indoor diving centre-in a former gas storage silo. Visitors can clamber through old ore storage bunkers and then climb to the top of the blast-furnace-turned observation tower for spectacular views. From these lofty heights, boaters might spot Europe’s largest river docks below, on the river Rhine. That’s where they would find the Museum of German Inland Navigation, a rare find for any serious sailor. Not far away, the Railway Museum, in Bochum, delights young and old amateurs of trains with its extensive collection of rolling stock.

Art instead of coal [maerkischeallgemeine.de] [by editor]

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:52:00 +1700

Event News::[Event] Art instead of coal [maerkischeallgemeine.de]

From maerkischeallgemeine.de Article 24/10/2009
(google translated)
"Ruhr 2010" Despite all the prophecies of doom

ESSEN - Whoever will be on the road in the Ruhr area at the end of May next year, might believe that unidentified flying objects are visiting on a reconnaissance mission.

In fact, several hundred bright yellow balloons have just gone up.
Visible from afar, they highlight the invisible, the past of this region.

"Schachtzeichen" (Coal Shaft Signs) is one of the key projects in the Capital of Culture program in Essen, the title to which Potsdam was also competing, has won for the entire Ruhr area and now operates under the name "Ruhr 2010".
RUHR.2010 Schachtzeichen webpage (English)

In allen 53 Städten sorgen Ballons über den Stellen für Aufmerksamkeit, an denen Zechen standen und die jetzt verfüllten Kohleschächte verliefen.

In all 53 Ruhr area cities participating in the event, balloons will be released from former mines, which are now backfilled coal shafts.

Each balloon will have a mentor, buddy or historians to detail and bring to life the story of mining in the area.

Visitors to Essen and the Capital of Culture who want to learn more about the Ruhr area are welcomed starting January 10th to the new Ruhr Museum, which has been spectacularly based in the former coal washing plant Zeche Zollverein Quarter, a place that symbolizes the transformation of the Ruhr area.

Click here for Official Zollverein Webpage (English-Version)

It was natural to make this development not only on the topic of "Ruhr 2010". Program leaders also hope to be able to initiate further structural changes by the individual projects.
Read More...

Zollverein Wikipedia Artice

European Capital of Culture - What's the point? [derwesten.de] [by editor]

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:59:35 +1700

Event News::[Event] European Capital of Culture - What's the point? [derwesten.de]

From DerWesten.de Article 01/11/09 (Translated)

European Capital of Culture - What's the point?
Ruhr.2010, 01.11.2009, Gudrun Nobisrath

Essen. Capital of Culture year is almost on the doorstep, but what is the event all about and who should pay for it? 13 questions, 13 answers. Everything you always wanted to know about Ruhr.2010, but were afraid to ask.

1. What is really meant by Capital of Culture?

The Cultural Capital in Essen wants to impress all of Europe . No superfluous side-show, but above all an attempt to revive the tourism industry. Essen and Ruhr region in 2010 will mean much more:

Since the coal and steel industry no longer dominates the region, the Ruhr area hopes to transform its former blighted image as the largest industrial production area in Germany.

2. How did we become the European Capital of Culture?

A jury of the European Union has selected us in 2006 from nine other German applicant cities. The industrial cultural history of the area played a significant part. Also decisive, is the long tradition of migration to the area with more than 170 different nations represented. Furthermore, it was evaluated positively, that all 53 surrounding cities would be represented, although a region can not officially be called European Capital of Culture. For this reason,: "Essen for the Ruhr area", is now called "Ruhr.2010.

3. How much does it cost?

65 million euros. Of these, 48.5 million of public money: 1.5 million by the European Union, 17 million from the federal government, 12 million from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr Regional Association, and 12 million from 6 million are food from the standard-bearers. Lead sponsors are the German Railways, Eon Ruhrgas, Haniel, RWE and the Savings Banks Financial Group.

Read More.....

Capital of Culture 2010 ": 80,000 Christians contribute [idea.de] [by editor]

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:56:45 +1700

Event News::[News] Capital of Culture 2010 ": 80,000 Christians contribute [idea.de]
From Idea.de Article 6/11/09

Capital of Culture 2010 ": 80,000 Christians contribute
The National Churches of Rhineland and Westphalia are expecting around 600,000 visitors. Essen (idea) - Some 80,000 evangelical church members are involved in the events of Culture 2010 in Essen and the Ruhr.

For hundreds of concerts, exhibitions, lectures and other offerings await the national Churches of Rhineland and Westphalia, about 600,000 visitors. The main points were presented on 4 November for the religious program in Essen.

A highlight is the pop-oratorio "The Ten Commandments", premiered on 17 January in the Westphalia Hall which sold out. Due to the massive interest, tickets for the dress rehearsal are now selling the night before. As the composer of the pop-oratorio, Dieter Falk (Dusseldorf), compared to said idea, he would also give a professional musical version. Furthermore, the invite to church after they received "the largest organ festival in the world". At over 80 locations, there will be 480 concerts in the Cultural Capital. The opening concert takes place on 15 January at the Cathedral of Essen. Other events include the performances of 36 Bach cantatas, a trumpet festival with over 2,500 wind instruments in the Westfalen Park in Dortmund, Essen and a concert at the Reformation in the Philharmonic. The Capital of Culture year opens with an ecumenical service on 8 January at the Cathedral of Essen.

Read More ....

4.5 kilometers of pure culture [derwesten.de] [by editor]

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:34:59 +1700

Event News::[News] 4.5 kilometers of pure culture [derwesten.de]
From derwesten.de article 11/01/2009

Capital of Culture Year is getting closer - now that creativity is demanded of all
Appetite to make Culture, tease out the creativity of its people and serves them some appetizers as a cultural taste of what awaits them, even in 60 days - this is the intention of the Cultural Bureau and the Essen Marketing GmbH (EMG) to kick off the "Mit-Mach phase "of the Culture 2010 on Saturday in the Town Hall Gallery. From the appetizer quickly followed the main dish, with the "National Poetry Slam, dancers, singers, comedians and a creative contest.

60 days to go...

More than 60 000 visitors are the initiators in the course of the day, including Mayor Reinhard passport, which sets the 60-day countdown going: "We want all of today Essen positive mood for the main cultural city project. What would Essen be as the standard bearer of Culture in 2010 without the support and involvement of its citizens who make this city so unique? "The answer to that, there's a creative competition under the banner of" blue ribbon ", a symbol of connectedness to their city of Essen expresses.

Delivered on several roles that are 4.5 kilometers band in a few hours distributed to visitors. "The tape comes off like hotcakes," said a helper, cutting off small pieces and constantly with information about the activities in 2010 distributed to visitors - with an appeal to a creative photo shoot with the blue ribbon and put into the internet .

Read More....

Portrait of RUHR 2010-European Capital of Culture [travelvideo.tv] [by editor]

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:18:10 +1700

Event News::[Tips] Portrait of RUHR 2010-European Capital of Culture [travelvideo.tv]

From TravelVideo.tv Article

This time, the publication also dedicates four detail-packed pages to Europe’s 2010 Capital of Culture, the industrial heritage region of the Ruhr River valley, represented by the city of Essen.

Until the 1970s Germany’s industrial heartland, the area has undergone a remarkable transformation. Where coal mines, coking plants and smokestacks once spoke of hard physical labour, people today visit gigantic gas storage silos and collieries to see art exhibits, enjoy live music, theatre and movies.

The various sites are linked by bike routes and walking paths along old railroad lines no longer in use and quiet river and woodland trails. With 1,000 industrial monuments, 200 museums, 100 arts centres, 120 theatres, 100 concert venues and 250 annual festivals and fairs - who’d be bored?

Read more....

Essen Culture Capital attracts 2,500 events [welt.de] [by editor]

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:37:56 +1700

Event News::[News] Essen Culture Capital attracts 2,500 events [welt.de]

From welt.de Article 10/30/09

Essen - The European Capital of Culture next year entices visitors to the Ruhr area with more than 2500 planned events and exhibitions.

The events, which run for one year across the 53 district towns, will start on 9 January with a party against the backdrop of world Cultural Heritage site Zeche Zollverein in Essen, Germany.

The guests will include President Horst Köhler and rock and film legend Herbert Grönemeyer will introduce and perform a new anthem for the event which he also composed.

Continue to welt.de article...

Official 2010 European Capital of Culture Program Released [by editor]

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:08:37 +1700

Event News::[News] Official 2010 European Capital of Culture Program Released

From Bild.de Article OCt 31, 2009
Essen - Weighing in at nearly a kilo with over 230 color pages, The complete program Ruhr.2010 is the Bible for the European Capital of Culture.

Managers Fritz Pleitgen and Oliver Scheytt needed almost 2 hours to introduce the highpoints of the event.

Over 300 projects and 2,500 exhibitions are planned.

"Last May I was pretty worried, but now everything is financially secured. With a budget around 60 million Euro, to date only 1.5 million is lacking. We must succeed and we will succeed and these are the highpoints of which we can pleased ", said manager Fritz Pleitgen.