... learn about a new culture?

Beethoven, Wagner, Klinsmann, Bayern Munich, Steffi Graf, BMW, spatzle and bratwurst are just about all the German things I know of. So, when my friend asked me if I was interested in accompanying her to the grand opening of "Essen for the Ruhr: European Capital of Culture 2010", Manfred Vollmer's photo exhibition of the Ruhr metropolis, I immediately agreed. I had always associated the Ruhr Valley with World War II history and know nothing much more than its role in the war. As a result, I was pleansantly surprised to hear that this previously heavily industrialized area has been completely transformed into a center for culture, science and technology.

The Goethe-Institut, where the exhibit will run through May 14, is situated in a residential neighborhood in the Back Bay. The evening began with a series of speeches by representatives of the various co-sponsors of this event, introducing the Ruhr region, as well as networking opportunities for Germans living in the Greater Boston area. Dinner followed. I had currywurst (basically bratwurst with a ketcup + curry sauce) for the first time, together with a German potato salad, a green salad and various breads and cheeses. The currywurst was so good, we had to have seconds!

The photo exhibit itself was quite a bit smaller than I had imagined, with a mere 22 photographs. Nonetheless, there were a few photos that caught my eye, of which my favorite was a photo of a striking orange staircase at the Ruhr Museum, situated at the Zollverein World Heritage site in Essen.

from: http://www.germany.info/