Meetings and festivities at authentic locations

At home with Goethe, Beethoven and Luther

Why did Beethoven’s music sound different in the 18th century than it does today? How did the close co-operation between Goethe and Schiller arise in Weimar? What did Martin Luther experience during his time as ‘Junker Jörg’ on the Wartburg? Out of which inspirational sources were Bach’s unique works composed? Why did Dürer paint a hare? These are all interesting questions - which at first glance have precious little to do with the meetings and events business. Both are, however, possible in many German cultural institutions and settings which preserve and safeguard the inheritance and history of great historic personalities: meetings and receptions with an artistic facet and cultural experience. It is very well worth asking about the numerous possibilities on offer!

 

Private concert with Beethoven
The chamber music room in Beethoven’s house of birth is considered one of the most beautiful event locations in Bonn. Concerts and events for up to 200 persons may be held there. A private performance on an 18th century concert piano and an exclusive tour of Beethoven’s house of birth are regarded as memorable conference social programme experiences. Receptions in the house’s idyllic garden are also very popular – under the composer’s critical gaze as he observes his guests from atop his stone plinth.

Original Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach and Leipzig are intricately connected to each other. Bach lived and worked in Leipzig for some 27 years as choirmaster at St. Thomas’ Church. He transformed music history with works such as the Passion of St. Matthew and the Mass in B-minor. The historic Summer Room in the Bach Archive and Museum will be available upon request for concerts, events and receptions after renovations are completed in early 2010. Guided tours of the museum inform visitors about the life and seminal works of the famous composer. A special programme highlight for any event is an organ concert in St. Thomas’ Church for selected guests.

 

Beside Goethe’s cot or in his office
The Goethe House in Frankfurt am Main, where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe spent his childhood and youth, is custodian to original rooms and furnishings as well as a comprehensive collection about Goethe and his times. Small events and festivities are possible in the rooms of this very authentic backdrop. Lectures and guided tours create an interesting connection to the former residents and their daily lives. A Goethe Evening may also be booked during the course of which Goethe himself relates anecdotes from his time in Frankfurt.

Goethe lived and worked in Weimar for most of his adult life. Selected rooms may be reserved for receptions, meetings or lectures, e.g. the ballroom in his former residence which now houses the Goethe National Museum. The ballroom of the Wittum Palace is also of historical significance. The dowager residence of the Duchess Anna Amalia, with whom Goethe enjoyed a special relationship, was for many years the centre of Weimar society. Thematic guided tours following Goethe’s and Schiller’s footsteps or a visit to the National Theatre are particularly recommended.

 

Behind the scenes of the German Reformation

Martin Luther, the great German reformer, has left lots of traces at his various places of life, work and activity. In Erfurt, for example, one may hold meetings and receptions in the evangelical St. Augustine Monastery where Luther studied. A guided tour of the medieval old city quarter in Luther’s footsteps followed by a banquet in the historic Luther Cellar is a popular social programme. The Wartburg in nearby Eisenach is a national symbol and former hiding place of ‘Junker Jörg’ alias Martin Luther. It is now a major travel destination for guests from all over the world. Attractive and professionally appointed meeting and events possibilities are on offer in this spectacular hilltop castle where Luther once translated the Bible into German.

Welcome to great personalities from German history
There are many historic witnesses to personalities of national and international significance in many of Germany’s towns and cities. Birthplaces and places of activity - besides functioning as museums - are also available for events. The Dürer House in Nuremberg e.g. offers historic guided tours with Agnes Dürer who tells lots of fascinating tales about her famous artist husband. Artistic receptions or meetings for up to fifty persons are possible in stylish surroundings in the Paula Modersohn-Becker Museum in Bremen. Special guided tours outside official opening times tell of the world famous expressionist’s life. Hölderlin, the writer and philosopher, lived in Tübingen on the River Neckar. Small, exclusive receptions may be booked in the idyllic and romantic Hölderlin Tower – together with guided tours of the museum or literary recitals from the famous writer’s work. A relaxing poetic barge trip on the River Neckar passing by the Hölderlin Tower is one of Tübingen’s special highlights.

All the above examples illustrate only a few of the many interesting possibilities which ‘culture land’ Germany has to offer visitors and guests. Authentic locations connected to famous personalities who are associated with German and  international cultural heritage relay any conference, meeting or event special added-value. Having been present at and experienced such an exclusive historical place always remains a particularly memorable experience for meetings and events participants.

Further information:
www.beethoven-haus-bonn.de
www.bach-leipzig.de
www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de
www.klassik-stiftung.de
www.museen.nuernberg.de/duererhaus
www.pmbm.de
www.hoelderlin-gesellschaft.de