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. 

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