After visiting the culturecity Dresden several times, I am allways impressed to present information about this wonderful city, which, for me, is one of the most importent culture cityes in Germany.

Dresden 2010: Music, porcelain and new museums

450 years of the Dresden State Art Collections / 300 years of Meissen porcelain / 200th anniversary of the births of Robert Schumann and Frédéric Chopin / 25 years of the Semperoper.

20 years after the peaceful revolution which started in Dresden and Leipzig before leading to the fall of the Berlin wall, two most powerful state leaders visited Dresden this year: the Russian Prime Minister Putin and US President Obama.
Obama wrote in the Frauenkirche’s book of intercession: »My best wishes to the congregation and the people of Dresden for symbolising the possibility of reconciliation, reconstruction and hope.«

Dresden 2010: Music, porcelain and new museums
450 years of the Dresden State Art Collections / 300 years of Meissen porcelain / 200th anniversary of the births of Robert Schumann and Frédéric Chopin / 25 years of the Semperoper

During the past few years, Dresden has developed into one of the most important destinations for city breaks in Germany. The architectural ensemble and its delightful setting on the River Elbe create a romantic atmosphere. In addition, Dresden is well situated between Berlin and Prague and offers a variety of attractions in its beautiful surroundings like the table mountains of Saxon Switzerland, the wine growing area between Dresden and Meissen or many castles like Königstein fortress or Colditz, which has been famous in UK and the US because of its history in World War II.
This is supplemented by a range of cultural institutions and events that is unique in its density and high quality. There will be plenty on offer for an exciting stay in Dresden over the coming year, too. Even if you think you already know Dresden well, there will be an abundance of new things for you to discover.
From 26 November until 24 December 2009 the traditional Christmas market, the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, will be open once again. The oldest German Christmas market will be presenting itself in a new way, placing greater emphasis than ever on its history, which extends back to the year 1434. Many of the typical German Christmas products originate from Dresden and the surrounding region, such as Dresden Stollen, Pulsnitz gingerbread (’Pfefferkuchen’), wooden ornaments from the Erzgebirge Mountains and many others. (www.dresden.de/striezelmarkt).
A new arrival among the various Christmas markets is »Advent auf dem Neumarkt« in front of the Frauenkirche. In the design of the stalls and costumes, it will bring the periods around 1830 and 1920 back to life.(http://neumarkt.neuland-zeitreisen.de)
What is probably Germany’s most attractive New Year firework display will take place on Theaterplatz in front of the Semperoper (www.silvesterstadt.de). It will be almost as impressive to view it from the bank of the Elbe with the brightly illuminated city skyline as a backdrop, where you can welcome the New Year in the company of friends while watching the fireworks.
In 2010 the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen (State Art Collections) will be celebrating their 450th anniversary, making them one of the oldest museum institutions of modern times. In February the celebrations will be launched with the opening of the “Türckische Cammer” (Turkish Chamber). This exhibition, one of the largest collections of Ottoman art in the world, will be presented in the rebuilt Royal Palace, the Residenzschloss, which is developing more and more into a museum centre of international significance.
The central anniversary exhibition will be on show in the Japanisches Palais (Japanese Palace) from 18 April until October 2010. From 8 May until 29 August 2010 the exhibition »Triumph der blauen Schwerter« will also be on display there. In 1707 European porcelain was developed in Dresden and in 1710 large-scale production began in Meissen. The Japanisches Palais was designed by Augustus the Strong as a »Porcelain Palace« and while the Porcelain Collection in the Zwinger is being refurbished, the »White Gold« will be temporarily moved back to its original home.
The anniversary celebrations will culminate in the opening of the Albertinum as a »House of Modernity« in the autumn. Then the Gemäldegalerie Neue Meister (New Masters Picture Gallery) will show its treasures in a newly designed exhibition, along with modern sculptures from the Skulpturensammlung (Sculpture Collection) (www.skd.museum).
In 2010 the musical world will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the births of Robert Schumann and Frédéric Chopin. The composer Robert Schumann is closely associated with Dresden. A third of his works were written here. Chopin paid four visits to Dresden and even found his only official fiancée here. His later partner George Sand was even a great-greatgranddaughter of the legendary Elector of Saxony, Augustus the Strong.
Throughout the year, music by both these composers will be performed in various concerts. Especially the Dresdner Philharmonie and the Staatskapelle Dresden, which is the permanent orchestra in the Semperoper and performs there almost every day, will be making the most of these anniversaries.
But the Semperoper itself will also be celebrating an anniversary in 2010. On 13 February 1945 the opera house burned out in the Dresden firestorm, and on the same date 40 years later it was officially reopened with a performance of Weber’s »Freischütz«, which was composed in Dresden. A highlight of the jubilee year, which will feature interesting opera, concert and ballet productions, will be the two serial performances of Richard Wagner’s »Ring of the Nibelungen«. Wagner was himself Kapellmeister at the Dresden opera (www.semperoper.de).
The Dresden Music Festival in 2010 will take place from 19 May until 6 June and will feature major stars of the classical music world and beyond. The thematic focal point will be »Russia«. (www.musikfestspiele.com).
There is a wealth of other events on the calendar, too. A list of the highlights in English is available at the www.dresden.de.
A day-by-day events calendar with rubrics and keyword searches is to be found at www.dresden.de/events