The Germany of the Culture

For 2010, the European Union has assigned one of three title of European Culture Capital at the city of Essen and the entire Ruhr metropolitan area, the protagonist of an unprecedented transformation that led to the conversion of steel mills, foundries and mines in places for art and leisure: museums, exhibition halls, marquees for shows and events, concert halls and theme parks.

In particular, the month of June will see many themed events. On June 19, 50 different places in the Ruhr will give life to big cultural event of Extraschicht, meaning 'extraordinary shift' in reference to the shift of workers who once worked in this region of Germany, long singled out as an example of industrial pollution and exploitation of territory. Today, its steel mills and coal mines are no longer active and all the area around Essen has been reclaimed and transformed into a giant park voted to art and nature.

The great feast of June 19, now in its tenth edition, provides more than 200 events in the space of one night, from 18 to 2, turn the spotlight on places of interest. Among these, the Gasometer in Oberhausen, home to an exhibition space-time astronomy and space travel to the former mine Zeche Lohberg Dinslaken, with installations devoted to light and energy. Other attractions include "the atoll art" in the lake Baldeneysee, the Ring of Krupp that reminds one of the most prestigious business dynasties of the past, the acrobatic variety program in the mine Zeche Nachtigall Witten and the show "To be or appear "in the Aquarius Water Museum, where visitors will be around a sculpture composed of 300 sea lions.

In the same vein of culture, there is the "Rebellion" festive Dresden. When, in 1990, Germany was reunified after the fall of the Berlin Wall, many of its inhabitants wanted to vent their disappointment at the failure of socialist ideals and the forthcoming introduction of capitalism by organizing a festival dedicated to the town of homesickness and protest. In a restaurant in Alaunstrasse was born the committee proclaimed the "Bunte Republik Neustadt", the Republic of colored Neustadtm, the party 'new' in Dresden. The original city in the city was endowed jokingly of a monarch without portfolio, and even its own currency, while on its flag, instead of hammer and sickle emblazoned Mickey.

By the time the party has remained, although no political connotations, a multicultural event fixed in the streets and bars along the Görlitzer Strasse and Rothenburger Strasse. This year will be held in June, from 18 to 20, and provide an opportunity to browse in Neustadt with its baroque palaces, known for its ancient dairy Pfund at number 79 of Bautzner Strasse, as well as cheeses, pastries and hand-painted tiles that adorn its walls.

The Editor