Germany's Top Five
January 17, 2005
Experience one of the world's enduring legends. Sensational finds and research results of recent years have thrown new light on the sudden and dramatic obliteration of Pompeii. New findings about the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius, whose primeval violence destroyed a whole cultural landscape within one day and one terrible night, are part of the exhibition at the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museum in Mannheim. The drama of the event that saw Pompeii disappear is represented in the inclusion of many artefacts preserved in the volcanic aftermath as well as examples of finds which belong to happier times before the disaster. The exhibition "Pompeii: The final hours" lasts till April 17th and is definitely worth a visit.
Life, death and beyond in Ancient Egypt. The Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle (Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany) in Bonn in collaboration with Deutsche Telekom was successful in bringing the fascinating treasures from the tomb of the legendary Pharaoh Tutankhamun to Germany. For the first time in over 20 years, the German public has the opportunity to gaze upon ancient artefacts from the time of the famous boy king in the exhibition "The Golden Beyond - Treasures from the Valley of the Kings." The exhibition, organized by the Art and Exhibition Hall, the Supreme Council of Antiquities Cairo and the Egyptian Museum Cairo in cooperation with the Antikenmuseum Basel and Sammlung Ludwig, is not to be missed. The exhibition runs until May 1, 2005.
Walking in a winter wonderland…in Wolfsburg! The home of Volkswagen brings you a world of winter fun. Until Feb. 6, the Autostadt center is the home of snow-centric antics for all the family. Whether skating, having a go at curling, or facing the death-defying toboggan run, there's something for everyone at WinterWelt. And if you have enough of Jack Frost nipping at your nose, there's always a warm chalet on hand to offer some cosy respite or the chance to escape the cold in the WinterSpa, which offers a selection of wellness programs and courses.
Fancy a night at the opera? With "Billy Budd," Benjamin Britten created one of his most accessible operas, incorporating direct musical language and captivating action. Now, this performance can be enjoyed in Munich at the Bavarian State Opera courtesy of musical director Kent Nagano and the Bavarian state orchestra, which will be performing an opera production for the first time. This production of "Billy Budd" is the scene for another debut, that of American baritone Nathan Gunn, who performs for the first time in the Bavarian State Opera. The show opened on Jan. 15 and will be performed on the 19th, 22nd, 26th and 29th of January; Feb.1; and twice in July on the 17th and 20th.
Wanting to get back to nature after the consumerism of Christmas? Well, you don't even have to leave the city…if you live in Berlin, that is. Berliners will only have a short journey to the Berlin Messe to get in touch with greenery and all things conservational as the International Green Week gets underway on Jan. 20, until the end of the month. The rest of us will have to make more effort. Everything from flower exhibitions to horse shows, educational lectures and informative displays will make even the longest journey worthwhile. And for those who have not had enough of consumption, there are a number of food and drink exhibits on hand to appeal to every palate.