Programs and Events
Selected Events 2004
Maine Governor Presents Documentary Video to “Haus der Geschichte” in Bonn
November 15, 2004. At his visit to Bonn’s “Haus der Geschichte” on November 15, State of Maine Governor John Baldacci presented a documentary video about a 1944-46 prisoner of war camp in Maine. The film entitled “Don’t Fence Me In” documents the experiences of German prisoners working on Maine farms during their captivity and their past and present relations with Maine families. In the picture are (front, left to right): Governor John Baldacci, Karen Baldacci, and Dr. Dietmar Preißler, Haus der Geschichte. (more)
Panel Discussion on U.S. Election Results Broadcast Live from Amerika Haus
November 3, 2004. Deutschlandfunk broadcast a panel discussion on the results of the U.S. elections live from the Amerika Haus in Cologne on November 3. German politicians Rupert Polenz (CDU) and Reinhard Bütikofer (Green Party) joined American political scientists William Chandler (San Diego) and James Cooney (Harvard) in a lively discussion of the prospects for transatlantic relations under a second Bush Administration. Afterwards the 120 guests attending had the opportunity to continue the discussion at a reception hosted by the Amerika Haus director Carolyn Johnson. (more)
Election Breakfast Event Assesses Decision of the American Voters
November 3, 2004. More than 500 invited guests joined Consul General George Knowles, consulate officials and staff for an early morning election party at the Garden Café in the center of Düsseldorf on November 2. The event was organized in cooperation with Düsseldorf daily Rheinische Post and the Steuben-Schurz Association. At a series of panel discussions moderated by RP chief editor Reitz U.S. and German experts offered their assessment of the election results. The audience, a mix of young and old, also included German students and many Americans who were sought-after interview partners for national and regional media outlets. (more)
Ambassador Coats Gives Keynote Speech at Cologne University's Convocation Ceremony
October 13, 2004. Ambassador Daniel Coats was the keynote speaker at this year’s convocation ceremony at Cologne University on October 13. In his speech he emphasized the value and importance of educational and scholarly exchange for the transatlantic partnership. Ambassador Coats also congratulated Baron Alfred von Oppenheim on being honored as “honorary senator” of the university and praised his commitment to furthering German-American relations. (more)
Louis Begley Key Speaker at German-American Lawyers Association Event in Cologne
October 7, 2004. Eminent U.S. lawyer and novelist Louis Begley addressed an audience of over 200 at the German-American Lawyers Association's first Otto & Fran Walter lecture at Cologne's Wallraf-Richartz Museum on October 7. Begley's lecture, "Language Matters, Especially for Lawyers," drew from his experience in the fields of law and literature to show the vital role that language plays in human life. (Picture: Louis Begley speaking in Cologne.) (more)
Consul General George Knowles Visits Siegen-Wittgenstein Region
October 5, 2004. At the invitation of the recently founded German-American Association Siegen-Wittgenstein (DAG Si-Wi), U.S. Consul General on October 5 met with County Commissioner (Landrat) Paul Breuer, mayors of several cities and representatives from the university and the business community at the Kreishaus in Siegen, visited the IHK and a student-run consulting firm, and addressed the members of the new association in the evening. In the picture (from left to right): Hans-Werner Braun, President of the DAG Si-Wi, Consul General George Knowles, and Paul Breuer, County Commissioner (Landrat) of Siegen-Wittgenstein. (more)
Conference on Rhineland Emigrants in America
October 5, 2004. U.S. and German historians examine legacy of Rhineland emigrants in America. On Oct. 4, the Amerika Haus hosted a session of a 3-day conference on “Rhineland Emigrants and their Reception in America” organized by the Rhenisch Open Air Museum in Kommern. German and American historians, among them Professor Don Yoder, discussed the legacy of early German emigrants in Pennsylvania. Special focus was placed on new initiatives and projects designed to make old documents and objects available for research and publication. (more)
Concert in Marl Commemorates the Victims of 9/11
September 11, 2004. Acting Consul General Düsseldorf Eric Rueter addressed an audience of 1,100 at a September 11 memorial concert in Marl. Rueter thanked officials of the European Classical Festival Ruhr for their gesture of sympathy at this event, for which Ambassador Coats again served as patron. Guests included political, media, and business leaders from northern North Rhine Westphalia as well as representatives from diplomatic missions. The concert featured works by Aaron Copland and Ludwig van Beethoven. (more)
Cologne Cheers U.S. and German Basketball Teams
August 4, 2004. "This was a great event with a phenomenal audience," commented U.S. national coach Larry Brown after the narrow 80:77 victory of the U.S. team over Germany in Cologne on August 4. For the 18,000 enthusiastic fans at Kölnarena the game was a high point in the German sports calendar. U.S. player Allen Iverson and German Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) were the heroes of the evening. U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission John Cloud attended the games and wished the U.S. team good luck for the Olympics in Athens. (more)
Independence Day Celebrated In Düsseldorf
July 2, 2004. Consul General George Knowles welcomed 500 guests at a reception and a subsequent BBQ to mark Independence Day 2004 at his residence in Düsseldorf. The guests, representing a cross-section from the government, business, politics, media, academia, exchange organizations and the consular corps enjoyed the celebration that included the playing of the national anthems. Ragtime pianist Brett Youens entertained the crowd with a performance of Ragtime music. (more)
Paying Tribute to German-American Friendship in Münster
June 26, 2004. Amerika Haus Direktor Van Ram spoke at the 20th anniversary celebration of the German-American Society Muenster which was founded in 1984. He highlighted the importance of intercultural exchange and citizen involvement. Some 200 guests attended the reception, hosted by Lord Mayor Bernhard Tillmann. The photo shows from left: Mayor Bernhard Tillmann, Amerika Haus Direktor Van Ram and Professor Martin Korda, Director of the German-American Society Muenster. (more)
Bonn Festival Celebrates New York Cultural Scene
June 12-20, 2004. Appr. 10,000 visitors attended the 2004 "Biennale Bonn," a festival dedicated to New York’s cultural scene. The festival featured over 100 events including performances by The Wooster Group and the Foundry Theater, as well as readings by prominent writers such as Jedidiah Purdy, Jonathan Lethem and Jennifer Egan. US Consulate/Amerika Haus Cologne's co-sponsorship and additional support through the State Department’s festival fund were acknowledged in the program. This festival, receiving great popular and critical acclaim, paid tribute to New York City as a uniquely creative metropolis and highlighted the importance of cultural exchange. (more)
Exhibit Shows Transatlantic Heritage Of New York Food Shops
June 17, 2004. Consul General George Knowles spoke at the opening of a photo exhibit entitled “Milk & Herring” at the headquarters of Deutsche Welle (Germany’s VOA) in Bonn. The exhibit, which is part of “Biennale Bonn,” documents Jewish food shops and Jewish life in New York and is based on the photographic work of Michael Melcer and Patricia Schon. In his opening remarks, Knowles highlighted the persistence of European life styles in segments of American society. (more)
Recognizing Sponsors of the Neuss-St. Paul Exchange Program
June 15, 2004. CG George Knowles and Amerika Haus Director Van Ram hosted a reception for Neuss City officials, teachers as well as German and American students supporting or participating in the exchange program with U.S. sister city St. Paul, Minnesota. In his welcoming remarks, Knowles recognized the dedication of teachers and officials in making it possible for dozens of students to visit each other’s city and form lasting friendships. (more)
Bonn Transatlantic Conference Finds Evidence Of Common Ground
May 28-29, 2004. A major international conference near Bonn produced widespread agreement on the need to revitalize U.S.-European relations among about 120 journalists, think tankers, university faculty, students, military officers, government officials, and foreign policy association leaders. Amerika Haus Cologne co-organized the conference with the Federal Center for Civic Education. The U.S. keynoter was CSIS expert Julianne Smith, who also gave interviews to the largest German broadcaster, WDR, and Deutsche Welle. CG Knowles stressed the value of expanded bilateral exchanges and cooperation. (more)
American Youth Book Writers Engage Young Germans In Cologne
May 2-21, 2004. Several thousand students aged 10-16 took part in a cultural festival entitled “I Have A Dream” which featured ten prominent American writers of youth literature. At 40 readings, discussions and film showings the award-winning authors from across America read from their books and discussed their stories with their young audiences. Amerika Haus Cologne co-organized the event. This festival was a unique opportunity to engage young Germans in a creative encounter with the U.S., its cultural and ethnic diversity and what it is like to grow up in America. (more)
Marsha Coats Opens Children’s Literature Festival
May 2, 2004. In her keynote address at the opening of this year’s festival of American literature for young adults, Marsha Coats stressed the importance of reading and the common heritage and aspirations of young readers in the U.S. and Germany. Approx. 120 guests in Cologne’s city hall were then treated to readings by three of the ten American writers featured in the two-week festival. The May 2 event marked the beginning of a series of 32 readings, highlighting both the importance and relevance of American fiction writing for young adults and its significance for intercultural understanding. Several thousand young Germans participated in the events. (more)
Duisburger Akzente: Endstation Amerika?
April 24 - May 16, 2004. Created in 1977, the “Duisburger Akzente” has a long history as a national annual cultural festival that involves more than 100 individual events ranging from theater performances, modern dance, concerts, exhibits, literary readings, lectures and panel discussions. The theme of the 2004 festival was “Final Destination: America?” and was designed to explore important aspects and trends of current American culture and how these trends are received in Europe. Amerika Haus Director Van Ram spoke at the opening of the Duane Michaels' photo exhibit, part of the festival. (more)
African-American Writer Speaks About America’s Past And Present
April 21, 2004. With a reading from his novel “John Henry Days,” Colson Whitehead won the hearts of a his audience at Cologne’s Literaturhaus on April 21. The reading also offered an opportunity to discuss the appeal of John Henry as a multifaceted legendary American hero. The Amerika Haus was commended for its commitment to presenting American writers to a larger public. (more)
Indianapolis And Cologne Get Down To Business
March 28-31, 2004. Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson visited the sister city Cologne March 28-31 with a delegation of business development managers. In meetings with Cologne/Bonn airport officials, Koelnmesse managers, and representatives of BioCologne biotech companies the delegation explored improved economic cooperation and joint ventures. At a city hall reception, Cologne mayor Fritz Schramma and CG George Knowles highlighted the significance of German-American exchanges of people, ideas, and business ventures. (more)
The San Francisco State University Chamber Singers took Cologne by storm
March 24, 2004. The San Francisco State University Chamber Singers took Cologne by storm at a concert in the historic St. Apostles Church. Amerika Haus Director Van Ram hosted a reception for the young American singers before the concert. The young American singers won enthusiastic applause for their early modern European standards and moving African-American spirituals, highlighting original American traditions. (more)
Ambassador & Mrs. Coats Visit Bonn
February 2-3, 2004. As part of visit to the City of Bonn, Ambassador Daniel Coats and Mrs. Coats paid a courtesy call on Lord-Mayor, Bärbel Dieckmann. During the visit to Bonn the Ambassador paid tribut to the former host city of the U.S. embassy and articulated the positive prospects for the partnership. Ambassador Coats also met with faculty and students at Bonn University’s North America program. Mrs. Coats used the visit to meet with members of the Adenauer family at the Chancellor Adenauer Museum in Rhoendorf, and engaged young students at Bonn International School on education. (more)
