MELEZ.2010, the festival of the cultures of the Ruhr Metropolis, kicks off in one month
MELEZ logo
A gold- and petrol-coloured train will drive through the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 in October.
On board: Regular folks, artists from around the world and the region. It’s a former regional train whose five railcars have been converted into the stages on which MELEZ.2010, the festival of the cultures of the Ruhr Metropolis, will take place. It starts on October 2, 2010, in Duisburg; the mid-way point is celebrated at the World Cultural Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein (a former coalmine) in Essen October 17; and the four-day grand finale takes place October 28-31 at Bochum’s Jahrhunderthalle, formerly the gas power station of a steel mill. You can find an overview of MELEZ.2010’s diverse programme at www.ruhr2010.de/melez.
Melez connects people, cultures, generations and cities - travelling from train station to train station between Duisburg in the west and Dortmund in the east, and thereby bringing the region’s diversity to life. Local, regional and international artists will meet, exchange ideas, work, discuss and perform here. The Melez train has been extensively converted for the festival in cooperation with railway operator Deutsche Bahn over the past couple of months. It will be a symbol of interaction and a connecting element for the Ruhr Metropolis; bringing people, cultures, generations and cities together while at the same time building a bridge to Europe. The passengers travelling along on the train can just enjoy the programme or actively join in. There will be music, stories, writing and singing on the train.
Each railcar will have its individual programme: there will be the Stage Car, the White Salon, the Media Car, the Dance Car, and the Salon Waggon. Each journey will be different: For example, the maiden trip October 3 will centre around people of different ethnic heritages who will tell their stories of work and family; longing, hope and disappointments; of feeling art home and of everyday life in the Ruhr. The October 8 journey on the other hand will focus on music with musicians from different countries providing insights into their understanding of music, their passion and their musical development.
Tickets are on sale now, with 252 available for each journey. At €12 a piece, 10 € reduced admission, they provide access to events in all railcars. Please pre-register at melez2010@ruhr2010.de for barrier-free access on your trip.
You can find additional information at www.ruhr2010.de/melez
Media contacts:
RUHR.2010 GmbH
Katharina Jarzombek
Phone: +49 (0)201 888 2049
Email: katharina.jarzombek@ruhr2010.de
Daniela Ott
Phone: +49 (0)201 888 2096
Email: daniela.ott@ruhr2010.de