Essen loves and breathes culture. And not just since it was named "European Capital of Culture 2010". Whether drama, dance, music or visual arts - Essen got it all!
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Essen - A True Capital of Culture
Grillo Theatre
In the Grillo Theatre, named after its founder, the industrialist Friedrich Grillo, both great classics of world literature and works by contemporary authors are on the programme. Plays that require an intimate chamber-play atmosphere as well as powerful, highly emotional stories are performed in the two other venues “Casa” and “Box” in the theatre arcade just opposite.
Theaterplatz 11 | 45127 Essen | +49 201 8122200 | www.theater-essen.de
Aalto Theatre
The unique architecture of the Aalto Theatre alone, created by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, is worth a visit and inspires with its harmonious modern lines. The interior is home to the Aalto Music Theatre, one of the best opera houses in the German-speaking world, and the Aalto Ballet Essen under ballet director Ben Van Cauwenbergh. With 1,125 seats, visitors enjoy art at the highest level here.
Opernplatz 10 | 45127 Essen | +49 201 8122-200 | www.theater-essen.de
Essen Philharmonic
A top-class programme with celebrated artists, excellent acoustics and state-of-the-art technology make the Philharmonie Essen an internationally renowned concert hall. In 2004, the Philharmonie was reopened in the building of the historic Saalbau from 1904. Since then, concerts of all styles - from classical to jazz - have enchanted visitors in the impressive Alfried Krupp Saal as well as in the RWE Pavillon.
Huyssenallee 53 | 45128 Essen | +49 201 81 22 200 | www.theater-essen.de/philharmonie
Museum Folkwang
With its outstanding collection, the Museum Folkwang is one of the most important art museums in the whole of Germany. It owes its international reputation to the works of German and French painting and sculpture of the 19th century, various art movements of the 20th century as well as art after 1945, photography and graphic art. The striking and light-flooded new building designed by the renowned British architect Sir David Chipperfield in 2010 sets a strong urban accent.
Museumsplatz 1 | 45128 Essen | +49 201 88 45000 | www.museum-folkwang.de
Ruhr Museum
The Ruhr Museum in the former coal washing plant on the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site is a mirror and memory of the far-reaching and exciting history of the Ruhr area. With around 6,000 exhibits on three levels, the regional museum tells the entire natural and cultural history of the Ruhr region - from the formation of coal 300 million years ago to the present day. Regular special exhibitions complete the programme.
Gelsenkirchener Straße 181 | 45309 Essen | +49 201 24681444 | www.ruhrmuseum.de
Schaudepot of the Ruhr Museum
Housed in the spectacular industrial setting of the former salt factory on the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ruhr Museum displays around 25,000 otherwise hidden treasures from its collections of archaeology, natural sciences and history on three levels. As in the Ruhr Museum's permanent exhibition, visitors explore the three levels from top to bottom and learn more about the three thematic areas of nature, culture and history.
Arendahls Wiese | 45309 Essen | +49 201 24681444 | www.ruhrmuseum.de
Ruhr Piano Festival
It is one of the most important piano festivals in the world: the Ruhr Piano Festival. Every year between April and July, the festival provides a platform for internationally outstanding artists in around 70 events. And it does so in concert halls throughout the region. Alongside internationally celebrated stars such as Martha Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Hélène Grimaud and Sir András Schiff, promising young pianists and competition winners also showcase their skills at the keys.
Ruhrtriennale
Every year since 2002, in August and September, former coking plants, halls, engine houses and mining and steel industry slagheaps are transformed into venues for the Ruhrtriennale. The international festival of the arts offers visitors throughout the Ruhr a programme of music theatre, drama, dance, performance, music and visual arts. The festival director changes every three years.
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Essen got it all!
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