Sunday, February 3, 2013

Dragons dancing around the Cologne Cathedral


On the occasion of the Chinese New Year, the City of Cologne (Germany) and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China organized numerous festivities in and around Cologne last year. This was to celebrate 25 years of twinning between Cologne and Beijing as well as 40 years of diplomatic relationships between China and Germany.




A Chinese market was open to visitors on Roncalli square,...




...creating an authentic Chinese atmosphere, offering delicious titbits from Chinese cuisine, and featuring arts and sports shows.




I loved watching the making of Chinese hand-pulled noodles by these talented cooks from a local Chinese restaurant.




Another one of the cultural highlights was a show by the "Museum for East Asian Arts" ("Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst"). An exhibition under the title of "Glory of the Chinese Emperors: Art and Life in the Forbidden City" ("Glanz der Kaiser von China") brought a fine selection of treasures from the Chinese emperor's courts dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries to the City of Cologne.




Amazing carving of fruitts and vegetables. Look at the birds and the dragon.





But the most amazing photo opportunities arose with these colorful dragons...




...dancing...




... around the Cologne Cathedral...




...and the "Roman-Germanic Museum" ("Römisch-Germanisches Museum"). 




What a sight!




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For more information about the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom):

Domkloster 4  
50667 Köln
Germany

And the Listing of the Cathedral in the World Heritage List:


The Roman-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum):


The Museum for East Asian Arts (Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst):




12 comments:

  1. Great pictures - How fun to be here!
    Mary x

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    1. Thanks, Mary - these colorful dragons looked fantastic as they seemed to be dancing around the Cologne Cathedral.

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  2. You've really captured the atmosphere, Andrea. Great photos. The carved fruit and veg are exquisite. What a gorgeous colourful day!

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    1. Hestser, thanks for the comment - this was a very "colorful event" indeed and a lot of fun taking pictures that day.

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  3. Wow,those fruit and veggie carvings are extraordinary! What a marvelous event!

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    1. Liz, thank you, I had never watched Chinese noodles being hand-pulled before or fruit and vegetable carvings. We just marveled at the craftsmanship.

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  4. Your photos make one feel like you are right there watching the dragons soar.

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    1. Karen, thank you - the dragons were such a colorful contrast to the majestic gothic cathedral, we really enjoyed our visit.

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  5. You had another great outing and your photos are delightful. Makes me think about my daughter's mother-in-law who is Chinese. Once in awhile she visits me and cooks such beautiful foods. The look of the food is almost more important than anything else. If I help her, she is always "nicely" yelling at me to "make it beautiful!" She chooses vegetables, etc. by how they will appear in the finished, plated food...and it is always beautiful, much more beautiful than I would take the time to create. And I love that gothic cathedral. Arizona recently celebrated her 100th birthday...so...there is nothing old and wonderful here except Indian ruins and a Spanish church here and there used by explorers or by priests who came to convert the Indians. I think our house is really old...we built it about 27 years ago. Love your photos!

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    1. Kris, thank you so very much for your very kind comment that really made me smile - I am imaging you and your daughter´s mother-in-law preparing Chinese food in your kitchen ...it sounds like quite an experience! And Cologne, well, since I was born there and today live only 30 kilometers away with my family, whenever I get a chance to visit, I will. There are countless cultural events taking place there and I am never even able to attend a fraction of them but whenever I do, I know it will be more than worth my while.

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  6. What a beautiful celebration. The colors of the kites contrasted with the background are so vibrant. How fun!

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    1. Elaine, I was just so taken by the whole scene - I had never seen colorful Chinese dragons floating or dancing around the Cologne Cathedral! Thanks for the lovely comment!

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