In Focus
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 | Consul General Boyse (right) with
"Jonges" chairman Gerd Welchering |
America Evening in Duesseldorf
May 6, 2008.
More than 400 members of the influential "Duesseldorfer Jonges" civic group and members of the Consular Corps turned out for an event devoted to the United States at the Kolpinghaus on May 6. With the Consulate as patron and Consul General Matt Boyse as master of ceremonies, the evening featured the themes "America – Old and New Immigration Destination" and the role of US investors in NRW. Drawing on this year’s 325th anniversary of the first organized group emigration from Germany (from Krefeld in the Rhineland to Philadelphia) in 1683, the Consul General presented film clips and speakers on aspects of this historical event as well as the continuing importance of migration for the U.S. and Germany. Also featured was the role German settlers played in building major U.S. firms whose German operations are now located in NRW. (more..)
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News From the Consulate |
Hollywood comes to the Ruhr May 3, 2008.
The annual Ruhrfestspiele theater series has opened its 2008 season in the Ruhr city of Recklinghausen featuring plays from the United States on the theme "Once Upon a Time in America." Consul General Matt Boyse represented Ambassador Timken at the opening on May 3 where the renowned American actors Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum starred in David Mamet’s play "Speed the Plow." The play struck a cord among many on opening night for its treatment of the tension between "art for the sake of art" and "the market" for film – giving it a broader international relevance, i.e. not just to Hollywood. The festival, taking place also under the banner "Recklingwood," will also feature plays by Tennessee Williams, Sam Shepard, Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, as well as many readings on American themes until it closes on June 14. (more..)
Essen Students Learn About Study USA Opportunities
April 28, 2008.
On April 28, Education USA specialist Petra Spitz gave a presentation on "Ways to the U.S." at the historic Gymnasium Essen-Werden. The program reached approx. 60 students, teachers and parents whose questions ranged from detailed information on high school exchange to various au-pair and internship programs in the United States. Spitz provided detailed information about the application process as well as financial aid and visa requirements and distributed pertinent materials. (more..)
Paying Tribute to the Nacel Open Door Exchange Organization
April 26, 2008.
At 25th anniversary celebrations in Cologne on April 26, Consul General Matt Boyse paid tribute to the significant contributions this student exchange organization has made to expanding opportunities for young Germans and Americans to learn about and gain practical experience in each others’ countries. Praising Nacel Open Door as another example of a successful private-public partnership, he noted in particular their excellent support for participants in the Congress-Bundestag (CBYX) exchange program. (more..)
Dealing With Stereotypes And Prejudice About America
April 21-22, 2008. At lecture/discussion events at the universities of Bochum and Dortmund on April 21 and a follow-on workshop at the Consulate on April 22, Columbia University Professor Michael Eskin discussed popular attitudes towards the United States. Drawing on his recent book (published by the Upper West Side Philosophers, Inc. in New York in German under his pen name Misha Waiman) "17 Prejudices We Germans have Against America and Americans That Can’t Quite be Correct," Prof. Eskin offered a light and humorous but incisive commentary on common views found in contemporary German society. Observing that many attitudes were also present in 19th century Germany, he argued that they are not a result of a lack of knowledge but persist despite factual information to the contrary. His observations sparked constructive and lively discussions reflecting genuine interest in exploring the issue. (more..)
Welcoming the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Duesseldorf
April 15, 2008. U.S. Consul Desiree Humphreys from the U.S. Consulate General was pleased to welcome the musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at a reception in their honor prior to their concert at the Tonhalle in Duesseldorf on April 15. Under the baton of conductor Paavo Jaervi and featuring violinist Janine Jansen, the orchestra performed works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Schubert and received sustained applause after their splendid performance. Founded in 1895, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is the fifth oldest orchestra in the United States. (more..)
Preparing Students for their Study Year in the U.S. April 11, 2008. PA Duesseldorf exchange specialist Petra Spitz participated in a pre-departure seminar arranged and hosted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Bonn on April 11. Addressing 120 German university students who will be spending the 2008/9 academic year at a U.S. college, Spitz discussed intercultural differences between Germans and Americans and distributed useful briefing materials. Frankfurt consular officer Marissa Martin also took part in the seminar providing pertinent information on visa requirements. The participation of representatives from the consulate helped prepare the students for their stay in the U.S. and encouraged them to get familiar with essential American cultural values before traveling to the U.S. (more..)
American Literature Continues to Resonate in Cologne
April 8, 2008. An overflow crowd of 350 predominantly young readers were eager to hear American author Siri Hustvedt read from her new novel "The Sorrows of an American" at a program event in Cologne on April 8. A cooperative venture of the German publisher Rowohlt, Literaturhaus, the Consulate and national women’s magazine "Brigitte", the reading highlighted an American writer whose current book focuses on family history, remembrance, and the mysterious constituents of identity. Dennis Scheck from Deutschlandfunk moderated the reading/discussion and German actor Boris Aljinovic read excerpts from the book in German. (more..)
The Impact of the Economy on the Elections
April 2, 2008. The consulate continued its series of U.S. elections programs with a luncheon/discussion event hosted by Consul General Matt Boyse on April 2. The speaker was Luxembourg-based U.S. economist and consultant Susan Alexander, who offered an overview of the U.S. domestic economy and also discussed the economic platforms of the three remaining candidates in the Presidential elections. Referring to the candidates’ differing views on free trade/protectionism Alexander noted that their key economic advisers were all in favor of free trade. The program engaged a number of key contacts in a timely discussion of the U.S. economy and the economic platforms of Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama. (more..)
Treasure from American Film Archives Presented with Live Music.
March 28, 2008.
On March 28, at the Cinematheque at Cologne’s Philharmonic Hall, American composer Yati Durant conducted a live performance of a music piece that he specifically created for the 1925 Hollywood classic "Lady Windermere’s Fan." The movie, which was directed by Ernst Lubitsch, is in the permanent collection at the Modern Museum of Art in New York and generally considered one of the all-time finest examples of American silent film. In 2002 it received the U.S. National Film Registry Award. The live performance of the new original musical score at the film showing made this a special evening of American cinematography in Cologne. (more..)
Standing ovations for "The Streets of Wedding" in Cologne
March 12, 2008.
Cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of 700, the students from the Ernst-Schering-Oberschule in Berlin-Wedding gave a riveting performance of the "The Streets of Wedding" on March 12 at the Theater am Tanzbrunnen in Cologne. Directed by Berlin-based American choreographer and composer Todd Fletcher, the musical presented engaging scenes from the life in Wedding as seen through the eyes of its young residents, and delivered uplifting messages of hope, opportunity, and achievement-orientation. The host and driving force behind the evening, Jeane von Oppenheim of the Cologne-based Amerika Haus e.V. North Rhine Westphalia, and Ambassador and Mrs. Timken joined the audience in a standing ovation for the young performers and their team and thanked all who made this unique project such a success. (more..)
8th "Lit.Cologne" Festival Features Prominent American Authors
February 29 - March 9, 2008.
In connection with the 8th literature festival "lit.Cologne" (February 29 - March 9) the U.S. Consulate co-sponsored readings by U.S. writers Richard Sennett ("Craftsman"), Bill Buford ("Heat"), Alice Sebold ("The Almost Moon") and Robert Littell ("Vicious Circle"). The readings with the American authors drew large audiences reflecting great German interest in American literature and society. Part of the appeal of Europe's biggest literature festival is the selection of unusual locations for the events: the reading with crime writer Robert Littell, for example, took place at the Cologne police headquarters. (more..)
International Partnership Day in Detmold, Westphalia
March 5, 2008.
Consul General Matt Boyse visited Detmold on March 5, addressing more than 200 faculty, staff and foreign guests at the Felix Fechenbach Vocational College on the importance of international study to remaining competitive in a globalized world. During a two-hour panel discussion, he and German experts compared vocational training internationally, stressing that it is as important as academic training. The CG presented an overview of American community colleges, describing their diversity, their prominence in teaching applied skills, and their strong orientation to the market and to the needs of employers. Delegations from Atlanta Technical College, as well as schools in Japan, Lithuania, Chile, and the Czech Republic, joined UNESCO official Nainga Yee Mar. The CG also called on Marianne Thomann-Stahl, who governs the district of Detmold, one of the five regional administrations in NRW. (more..)
Supporting Transatlantic Teacher Exchange
March 4, 2008.
At a reception on March 4 at the Koenigin Luise High School in Cologne U.S. Consul Desiree Humphreys spoke about the value of international exchange and cross-cultural training to an audience of representatives of COST, the Consortium of Overseas Student Teaching. This annual conference supports international student teachers' exchange throughout the world with strong participation from the United States. The event provided an opportunity for the consulate to highlight the benefits of transatlantic experiences and dialogue both in the workplace and at the university level. (more..)
U.S. Sociologist Richard Sennett Draws Large Crowd at "Lit.Cologne"
February 29, 2008.
As part of Cologne’s prestigious annual literary festival "Lit.Cologne" distinguished American sociologist and book author Richard Sennett captivated a large audience at a reading/discussion event on February 29 at Kulturkirche Koeln. Sennett discussed his new book on craftsmanship past and present ("Craftsman") and offered interesting ideas about what constitutes good work in today's society. (more..)
Promoting U.S. Exchange Program for Social Workers
February 28, 2008.
On February 28, the U.S. Consulate participated in selection interviews of German social workers who applied for a four-month professional exchange program in the U.S. Administered jointly by the Council of International Programs USA (CIP) and the German Child Welfare Alliance (AGJ), this program offers ten qualified German participants an opportunity annually to learn about innovative approaches to social work in the U.S. The program, now in its 51st year, has demonstrated its value in providing first-rate professional experience and training in social services for the German participants. (more..)
Another Visit to Westphalia
February 27, 2008.
The German-American Society of Muenster hosted Consul General Matt Boyse at an evening lecture event on February 27 on "Current Aspects of German-American Relations." Speaking before an audience of about 80, the CG reviewed the consolidation of the Consulate General in Duesseldorf and Amerika Haus Cologne and the emergence of the successor organization Amerika Haus e.V. Nordrhein Westfalen, previewed the opening of the new U.S. Embassy at Pariser Platz later this year, and discussed a number of topics relevant to the bilateral relationship. Questions from the audience concerned, inter alia, the Administration’s position on climate change, the role of public diplomacy, the 2008 presidential elections, and U.S. relations with Russia. It was the CG’s fourth visit to Muenster in the last eight months. (more..)
Ambassador Timken Pursues Full Public Affairs Program in NRW
February 14 & 15, 2008.
On February 14 and 15, Ambassador and Sue Timken engaged important audiences on security, economic and social issues at program events in NRW, in Geilenkirchen, Bonn, Cologne and Duesseldorf. The Ambassador began his visit at the NATO AWACS Base at Geilenkirchen, addressing American military officers and spouses. At Bonn City Hall, he discussed current security issues at the invitation of Lord Mayor Baerbel Dieckmann and the Mid-Atlantic Club. The next day the Ambassador toured the main Ford assembly plant in Germany and met with senior company executives, led by Ford Europe CEO Bernhard Matthes. Subsequently, at the Cologne Chamber of Commerce, he delivered remarks on German-American economic relations and later met with Minister President Juergen Ruettgers, who shared his views on his recent visit to the U.S. and discussed economic and other issues. Concluding the visit, the Ambassador and Mrs. Timken were guests of honor at the annual Atlantic Ball hosted by the Steuben-Schurz Association attended by some 300 guests. (more..)
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