Topic: Europe

A sheepishly-looking Barack Obama at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague 2014

Holland. The Hague: The Nuclear Security Summit 2014

11.06.2014

Dutch as Dutch can.

Citizens identifying with a Summit

Influential world leaders and thousands of delegation members convened at the city’s World Forum to attend the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS 2014) this March. The Hague, ranging in size behind Amsterdam and Rotterdam, is the official seat of the Crown and the government, recognised international city of peace and justice, home to hundreds of international organisations and multinationals and one of the world’s top three UN cities. The Hague’s Peace Palace stands for international justice. The magnitude of decisions taken and judgements delivered there are of universal significance for humanity. By skillfully orchestrating the Nuclear Security Summit, the city lived up to the reputation it enjoys as a hospitable, well-organised and safe convention destination. Charmingly schmoozing his hosts prior to the event, NSS initiator US President Barack Obama exclaimed: “I love Holland!“

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A crown instead of a wreath: The topping out ceremony of the City Cube in Berlin.

Berlin’s new Conference Baby: It’s a Cube!…

16.05.2014


… and, not only by Berlin standards, a smooth childbirth (considering the shape) after a model pregnancy: A time span of a mere 22 months separated groundbreaking from completion of the CityCube – the capital’s brand new trade fair and congress venue. Its organism was jogged to life upon its inauguration on May 5th, 2014, after the very last missing module had been implanted into the building’s core. The symbolic heart was solemnly inserted by Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Klaus Wowereit in concert with Messe Berlin’s CEO, Dr. Christian Göke. „A cube is born“, the motto chosen for the opening ceremony, could not have been more befitting. The stylish venue is laid out to host events for up to 11,000 participants.

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London: Westminster at night.

Westminster: Convened at Church lately?

6.05.2014

To avoid confusion: the header image depicts the famed Houses of Parliament, per se the epitome of London for many, since long before its swingin’ times… next to perhaps Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, The London Eye, The Tower Bridge or the V&A museum. Just to name a few. And then there is Westminster Abbey, exclusive site of coronations since 1066, Lady Diana’s emotional funeral ceremony or glamorous royal weddings (like Queen Elizabeth’s with Prince Philip or William’s with Kate), all broadcast world-wide to a community held in the lasting grip of a magic royal spell. So, the premises ought to be familiar.
Right next door, the Church House Conference Centre may have witnessed events different from those mentioned before – but its own history lacks nothing in drama.

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Above the River Rhine: Germania - the German Statue of Liberty

Germania – Lady Guardian over the River Rhine

28.04.2014

The Niederwald Monument – another Statue of Liberty

Her body mass index may cause reason for concern: at a height of 12,35 metres and a weight of 32 tonnes, she may well be considered obese. Any serious physician would long have thrown in the towel over a patient so negligently indulgent as to tolerate an unbelievable BMI of 210! In Germania’s case, she’s innocent. She was designed as a symbol of prowess and was thus cast in virtually indestructible iron bronze – to make her last forever. Planning and building phases together took twelve years.

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Spraying water: A horseback rider on an Icelandic shore.

Iceland: An adventurous Sheep Gathering Experience

8.04.2014

Iceland horses are cute to look at and known as most pacific creatures. They also feature a kinetic characteristic unique to them: Their ability to shift into an auxiliary gait called „toelta“ offers a heart-warming sight and ideally transmits a pleasant feeling throughout every rider’s body. Due to Iceland’s isolated location, the genetic foundations of these pretty horses have not been shaken; their sturdy physique and adorable mentality remained unaltered ever since slender viking ships brought them ashore more than eleven hundred years ago. Why not exchange four wheels spun by noisy mechanical horse powers against four legs and a few happy neighs at the speed of one single leisurely HP lollop style? To explore the country by pollution-free means and to watch the fluffy blond manes flying from a horseback perspective, is a challenge rewarding like no other.

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