It is just over 500 years since the great Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer was welcomed to Aachen by the then Mayor Peter von Enden.
Today, as Lord Mayor, it is a special honor for me to welcome Dürer's art to our city. And with it a whole series of distinguished and highly welcome guests in our city
I welcome
- the Minister for Federal and European Affairs and International Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner,
- the Head of Cabinet of the Flemish Prime Minister, Mr. Jeroen Overmeer,
- the General Delegate of the Government of Flanders, Nic Van der Marliere,
and I would like to welcome you all, ladies and gentlemen, to this ceremony.
You have accepted our invitation to open the exhibition "Dürer was here. A journey becomes a legend".
We are sitting here today with the dramatic images and fates of the people who have suffered great hardship in our country as a result of the flood of the century.
Nevertheless, we have decided to hold the opening ceremony today in the form that is possible after the cancellation last year due to the coronavirus.
The catastrophe that has befallen us in recent days shows how vulnerable our world is.
At the same time, it reflects our powerlessness in the face of the forces of nature that have come very close in recent years due to extreme weather conditions and have also cost us many lives.
We are caught up here today in our thoughts of the numerous victims, their families and the aid workers who have been showing immeasurable commitment in many places for days.
I would like to pause briefly with you for these people before we celebrate the official opening.
Exhibition opening
The exhibition "Dürer was here. A journey becomes legend" tells the story of Dürer's last great journey, which took him via Aachen to the old Netherlands.
It shows masterpieces created on this journey and works of art by important contemporaries.
Prepared over many years in painstaking detail, it forms the conclusion of the trilogy "Dürer. Karl V. Aachen" trilogy, which is under the patronage of our Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Thank you very much for attending this moment in person.
Especially in times of crisis, it is important to look at the bright side of reality and draw strength from it for the current challenges.
We need this not only today, but also in the coming weeks, months and years, when we will have to find and implement new solutions and approaches to the impending global catastrophes.
Let us look back to the age in which Dürer was on the move. This can be described briefly, succinctly and just as dramatically: Globalization, corruption and media revolution. Religious wars, pandemic and refugee movements: These are the headlines from the 16th century!
Sometimes it helps to look back at history when classifying current events and, for example, delve into the time when an outbreak of plague led to the postponement of Charles V's coronation celebrations.
The coronation was then able to take place after all. Outrageously high bribes helped. This was made possible by an emperor who built a global empire and brought unimagined treasures to Europe,
but with noticeably cruel consequences for the colonies to this day. The Reformation was accompanied by a brutal inquisition that drove out many people of other faiths.
These events were commented on for the first time by masses of printed matter, which led to widespread mobilization.
Despite the emperor's global rule, people's everyday lives were characterized by small states with road tolls, different currencies, different weights and measures.
Despite everything, there were - thank God! - people who set out to overcome external and internal borders and establish international contacts. They not only broadened their personal horizons, but also learned from each other and took their knowledge out into the world.
Artistic personalities have always been among these people. And the outstanding Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer can be described as a seeker of new knowledge: He was a curious networker and mobile traveler with numerous international connections, and his work is an impressive testimony to this.
The exhibition "Dürer was here" is also characterized by international networking. The participating lenders, scholars and patrons are of numerous nationalities. They are scattered all over the world, meaning that the works for the exhibition also had to travel a long way. The last picture only arrived here in Aachen a few days ago.
I would like to thank you very much, as well as everyone else who has contributed to the success of this final and crowning stage of a highly demanding exhibition trilogy with their commitment and dedication, professional expertise and craftsmanship.
I hope that the exhibition will attract many interested visitors who will embark on a lively, cross-border journey with Albrecht Dürer with a curious and alert eye.
First and foremost, I would like to thank the exhibition organizer Peter van den Brink on behalf of the citizens of Aachen. This exhibition is the crowning glory of his work and commitment to the city of Aachen and especially, of course, to "his" Surmont Ludwig Museum, which he has considered his home since 2005.
As director, he has curated and organized numerous exhibitions that have had a national impact.
After a successful career, he will be going into well-deserved retirement this summer, although everyone who knows him a little assumes that this retirement will be a rather restless one.
In his future endeavors, I wish him to continue to have his heart in the right place, serenity and, of course, good health so that he can enjoy the wealth of art and carry it out into the world. If God wills, in the footsteps of Albrecht Dürer.
18.11.2022