Night Prayer
Pauenhof Dharmasala / Photo: Pauenhof e. V.
Religion has beauty and every belief develops its own aesthetics. Prayers and liturgies take on meaning when they are performed sincerely and devoutly, but also when they embrace elegance and artistry: hymns, recitations, meditations through religious writings, the writings themselves, paintings, calligraphy, architecture.
On September 21, 2010, the International Day of Peace, the different religions of the Ruhr Metropolis will present their beliefs, arts and places of worship through a series of spiritual concerts and ceremonies. The "Night Prayer" events are an invitation to explore the special spiritual locations of the Ruhr.
DITIB Mosque, Duisburg-Marxloh
The DITIB Mosque in Duisburg-Marxloh, built in the traditional Ottoman style, is one of the largest in Germany and was opened on October 26, 2008. The building also comprises a community centre with an Islamic library and archives, a bistro and several seminar rooms.
The new synagogues of Bochum and Gelsenkirchen
On November 14, 2005, Paul Spiegel, former President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, laid the foundation stone for the New Synagogue in Bochum. It has given the Jewish communities in Bochum, Herne and Hattingen a centre again, close to Bochum Planetarium. The Gelsenkirchen Jewish community opened its New Synagogue as a meeting place on February 1, 2007. It is built on the site where the Gelsenkirchen Synagogue once stood before it was destroyed during the Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) pogrom in 1938.
Shankarar Sri Kamadchi Ampal Hindu Temple
Since its completion and dedication in July 2002, the Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple in Hamm-Uentrop has been the largest Tamil Hindu temple in Europe. Its design follows strict ritual rules. The goddess Sri Kamadchi Ampal gazes eastwards towards the rising sun from the central shrine. The story of the Temple began in 1989, scarcely noticed, in the west of the city of Hamm. Ten years on, the Temple - at first extended and then relocated - is the most well-known Tamil Hindu site in Germany and neighbouring countries. Up to 25,000 people attend the annual Temple Festival in honour of the goddess Sri Kamadchi Ampal.
Essen Cathedral
Essen Cathedral is the city's oldest church and the seat of the Bishop of Essen. It is located at the heart of Essen's pedestrian zone. The Cathedral Treasury is home to artefacts including the "Golden Madonna", one of the oldest and most important sculptures dating from the Early Middle Ages.
St. Vinzentius Church, Bochum
St. Vinzentius Church in Bochum-Harpen is one of the city's most important historical buildings. It was built around the year 1000 on a small hill and features an imposing Baroque altar dating from 1699.
Pauenhof Dharmasala
The Pauenhof project began in Sonsbeck in 1990/91, the idea being to establish a Buddhist Centre that is open to all. Dharmasala means "Dharma House". Dharma refers to the Buddha's teachings and translates as "the way things are".
September 21, 2010
Event series Night Prayer