World culture: Essen holds functions in commemoration of the new European cultural capital opening

On Saturday, January, 9 Essen (Germany) is holding functions to commemorate the opening of the “cultural city of Europe”. In 2010 this title will be given to this city and the whole Ruhr Area, where the city is located. The grand opening of the 2-days festival will take place on the stage in the open air on the territory of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, included into the world cultural heritage list.

Among the participants of the ceremony are the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and the President of Germany Horst Köhler. The famous German rock musician and composer Herbert Grönemeyer is going to sing his anthem of the Ruhr region under titled "Komm zu Ruhr", reports the information agency DAPD.