Music

Music is important in life. It gives an certain light to live.

"I make music because if I did not, I would die. I record, because it’s in my blood. I hear sounds all the time. It is almost a curse: to know you can always make something new" (Prince)
"Ohne Musik wäre das Leben ein Irrtum" (Friedrich Nietzsche)
"Music is the architecture of the unspeakable" (Leonardo da Vinci)
"Art is a sort of disease" (Giacomo Puccini)

Puccini (1858-1924) was seventeen, when he noticed the opera Aida was played in Pisa. The masterpiece of Verdi. He had to walk 30 kilometers to see the opera. Besides, the opera was very expensive for the youngster. That day, he decided to become an opera composer like Verdi.

I think similar thoughts can possible happen at performances in my hometown Kerkrade.

Above, you can see some impressions of Kerkrade, during the last WMC (World Music Contest).

World Music Contest

At this moment, Kerkrade is the radiant center of the brass-music-world. Until the 2nd of August 2009, the 16th WMC (Wereld Muziek Concours / World Music Contest) will be held in this lovely Dutch city.

Above, you see a few impressions from the city-centre of Kerkrade.

Maybe we may welcome you in 2013, at the next WMC ?!?

Burgfest Herzogenrath

The little city of Herzogenrath in Germany (province/Bundesland Nordrhein-Westfalen) has done a lot of work, to become an touristical spot in the region nearby the Dutch border. The Saturday before the Burgfest (on the 31th of May), there was a cultural program (Wurmtal ohne Grenzen) to express the efforts of a fluctuating landscape (the Wurmtal). An area of 20 kilometers of nature and cultural things, nearby the little brook which floats through the hilly area.
The Wurm flows through 4 places:

Herzogenrath (Germany)
Übach-Palenberg (Germany)
Landgraaf (the Netherlands)
Kerkrade (the Netherlands)

It is pleasant to walk or cycle in this area. During centennials, nature did have had a large freedom, because there was never much interest in this area, because of the border.
Not only nature, but also the population in these 4 border-cities are quite similar to each other. Mostly existing of seniors, because for young people there is too less work.
Although the German and Dutch youth stay rather in their own country, the area is interesting.
In the summertime (during the several festivals and cultural events), theatre and music make it a pleasant stay in Herzogenrath. And you can also visit Burg Rode of course. This little castle got a totally new entrance from the side of the Kleikstrasse.

During the Burgfest (1th of June, 2008) the merchants dressed theirselves (and their stand) as if we were back in the Medieval times. Some men with large beards and tattoos and women in historical clothes played their parts near Burg Rode. There were Medieval professions like a blacksmith, an alchemist, a crystal gazer and more of these. And also people who suffered from the plague where begging on the castle-stairs.

A few weeks ago, I also visited a great project (Grenzenlos) for unemployed people and artists, who make beautiful art, fashion and gadgets in a relaxed atmosphere. They also have a small cafeteria, where they sell delicious cake and coffee. I really love the nice and easy atmosphere over there. The location: opposite of the main-entrance of Burg Rode.

For an impression: see the pictures that my girlfriend Sally made…

Eurode and tales from beyond the Dutch border

The old townhall of Kerkrade (the Netherlands).

Europe is one community and often people think about currency and trade. But there is also a culture- similarity and interest between local communities. E.g. Kerkrade (Netherlands) is almost grown together with Herzogenrath (Germany). In the Cold War-age, people of Eastern Europe couldn’t grasp the idea, that you can live so near by the border. Politicians are unfortunately not very interested in these locations/areas. Because in every country there is more interest for the middle of the country than for cities on or near the border.
The dialects in Kerkrade and Herzogenrath are quite similar. But many cultural things do not come over the border. Somehow we stick to our own language. Dutch is mostly not spoken by Germans.
But Germans are more interested in the Netherlands, than in reverse. Dutch people are not very interested in the other side of the eastern border, or it must be, that they have German relationships (family, friends, relatives etc.) or for trading.
I think that the problem pure practical is. E.g.: every leaflet, flyer, folder, etc. must be translated.
I will tell a few stories of this area in the upcoming columns... in German. Because it is a world language. The first story is a story about Herzogenrath...

(to be continued……)

With special thanks to Sally, for the beautiful pictures