European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010
This is the website for the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 "Essen for the Ruhr". It serves the purpose to keep all information about RUHR.2010 and its programme accessible in the future.
Effective January 2011
Programme RUHR.2010
The bullets of this rubric reflect the programming structure of the European Capital of Culture 2010 "Essen for the Ruhr". Our programme consists of three guiding themes: mythology, metropolis and Europe. These are interwoven into and portrayed by the disciplines and topic areas of image, theatre, music, language, creative industries and festivals. It is through these media that the programme tells our story of change. Taking the Ruhr mythology as our starting point, we want to show the birth of a new metropolis, one capable of moving Europe through art and culture.
Miners' greeting at the Alte Haase mine, Sprockhövel / Photo: Manfred Vollmer
The Ruhr Mythology
The Ruhr mythology is a story set against a backdrop of coal and steel, hard work and solidarity. It has been cast by the coexistence of different cultures and religions, the influx of millions of immigrants, the development of close local ties, the economic boom caused by the presence of "black gold", and the culmination of a critical European and global era: industrialisation. / MORE
Balloon above Duisburg North Landscape Park / Photo: ujesko
Shaft Signs
Anyone visiting the old winding towers, redeveloped spoil tips and other elevated sites in the Ruhr Metropolis in May 2010 during the week after Whitsuntide will be confronted by a striking scenario. Around 350 yellow balloons with long ribbons will hover like pins on a pin cushion up to 80 metres above the former mineshafts, the roots of the Ruhr region. / MORE
Landmarke Angerpark, "Tiger & Turtle/Magic Mountain"/ Entwurf: Heike Mutter & Ulrich Genth / Kulturhauptstadtbüro Duisburg RUHR.2010
Re-designing the Metropolis
The Ruhr has transformed its appearance over the last few decades, creating a unique urban cultural landscape in the guise of the Ruhr Metropolis. The European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 is confronted with a seemingly endless, polycentric urban landscape with all its structural and social diversity, varied lifestyles and living environments. Evidence of a well-defined, unique development is there for all to see. / MORE
Door bells / Photo: mauritius images/imagebroker
Moving Europe
With the title of "European Capital of Culture" rightly comes the expectation that the incumbent cities will define benchmarks and serve as role models, that they will embody nothing less than a unifying visionary force that Europe and indeed the Ruhr Metropolis with their rich cultural diversity both need. / MORE
Logo Still-Leben / Graphics: TAS Emotional
Marketing GmbH
Still-Life A40/B1
The A40/B1 motorway, also known as the Ruhr motorway, is a special kind of boulevard. It connects the cities, districts and people of the metropolis along a 60-kilometre stretch. It’s the region’s main traffic artery and has among the highest traffic volume of any motorway in Germany. That traffic will come to a standstill for six hours as part of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010. / MORE
"Still-Life" / Photo: RUHR.2010/Matthias Duschner
RUHR.2010 takes stock
What has been achieved? What has to be done? The title is moving on, but the Ruhr will remain a cultural metropolis. Even before the sold-out finale on December 18, and after 5,500 events, the feedback is positive. "The idea of a Capital of Culture is a Europe that is truly lived – for the people and thanks to them," explained José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. / MORE
