Louis Begley Key Speaker at German-American Lawyers Association Event in Cologne
October 7, 2004. Eminent U.S. lawyer and novelist Louis Begley addressed an audience of over 200 at the German-American Lawyers Association's first Otto & Fran Walter lecture at Cologne's Wallraf-Richartz Museum on October 7. Begley's lecture, "Language Matters, Especially for Lawyers," drew from his experience in the fields of law and literature to show the vital role that language plays in human life. Consul General Knowles thanked Louis Begley for his fictional work which blends the memory of a European past with the predicament of contemporary American identities. On the picture: Louis Begley speaking in Cologne.
(more)

Consul General George Knowles Visits Siegen-Wittgenstein Region
October 5, 2004. Consul General George Knowles Visits Siegen-Wittgenstein Region. At the invitation of the recently founded German-American Association Siegen-Wittgenstein (DAG Si-Wi), U.S. Consul General on October 5 met with County Commissioner (Landrat) Paul Breuer, mayors of several cities and representatives from the university and the business community at the Kreishaus in Siegen, visited the IHK and a student-run consulting firm, and addressed the members of the new association in the evening. On the picture (from left to right): Hans-Werner Braun, President of the DAG Si-Wi, Consul General George Knowles, and Paul Breuer, County Commissioner (Landrat) of Siegen-Wittgenstein.
(more)

Conference on Rhineland Emigrants in America
October 5, 2004. U.S. and German historians examine legacy of Rhineland emigrants in America. On Oct. 4, the Amerika Haus hosted a session of a 3-day conference on “Rhineland Emigrants and their Reception in America” organized by the Rhenisch Open Air Museum in Kommern. German and American historians, among them Professor Don Yoder, discussed the legacy of early German emigrants in Pennsylvania. Special focus was placed on new initiatives and projects designed to make old documents and objects available for research and publication.
(more)

Concert in Marl Commemorates the Victims of 9/11
September 11, 2004. Acting Consul General Düsseldorf Eric Rueter addressed an audience of 1,100 at a September 11 memorial concert in Marl. Rueter thanked officials of the European Classical Festival Ruhr for their gesture of sympathy at this event, for which Ambassador Coats again served as patron. Guests included political, media, and business leaders from northern North Rhine Westphalia as well as representatives from diplomatic missions. The concert featured works by Aaron Copland and Ludwig van Beethoven.
(more)

Cologne Cheers U.S. and German Basketball Teams
August 4, 2004. "This was a great event with a phenomenal audience," commented U.S. national coach Larry Brown after the narrow 80:77 victory of the U.S. team over Germany in Cologne on August 4. For the 18,000 enthusiastic fans at Kölnarena the game was a high point in the German sports calendar. U.S. player Allen Iverson and German Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) were the heroes of the evening. U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission John Cloud attended the games and wished the U.S. team good luck for the Olympics in Athens.
(more)

Independence Day Celebrated In Düsseldorf
July 2, 2004. Consul General George Knowles welcomed 500 guests at a reception and a subsequent BBQ to mark Independence Day 2004 at his residence in Düsseldorf. The guests, representing a cross-section from the government, business, politics, media, academia, exchange organizations and the consular corps enjoyed the celebration that included the playing of the national anthems. Ragtime pianist Brett Youens entertained the crowd with a performance of Ragtime music.
(more)

Paying Tribute to German-American Friendship in Münster
June 26, 2004. Amerika Haus Direktor Van Ram spoke at the 20th anniversary celebration of the German-American Society Muenster which was founded in 1984. He highlighted the importance of intercultural exchange and citizen involvement. Some 200 guests attended the reception, hosted by Lord Mayor Bernhard Tillmann.
The photo shows from left: Mayor Bernhard Tillmann, Amerika Haus Direktor Van Ram and Professor Martin Korda, Director of the German-American Society Muenster
(more)

Bonn Festival Celebrates New York Cultural Scene
June 12-20, 2004. Appr. 10,000 visitors attended the 2004 "Biennale Bonn," a festival dedicated to New York’s cultural scene. The festival featured over 100 events including performances by The Wooster Group and the Foundry Theater, as well as readings by prominent writers such as Jedidiah Purdy, Jonathan Lethem and Jennifer Egan. US Consulate/Amerika Haus Cologne's co-sponsorship and additional support through the State Department’s festival fund were acknowledged in the program. This festival, receiving great popular and critical acclaim, paid tribute to New York City as a uniquely creative metropolis and highlighted the importance of cultural exchange.
(more)