Rotterdam

:For other places named Rotterdam, see Rotterdam (disambiguation)

Culture

Rotterdam was the European Culture Capital of 2001. The city has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with its world famous musical director Valery Gergiev, a large congress and concert building De Doelen, plus many theatres (among which the new Luxor theatre) and movie theatres. The spacious Ahoy-complex in the south of the city is being used for pop concerts, exhibitions, tennis tournaments and other such activities. A big animal Zoo called "Blijdorp" is situated at the North side of Rotterdam, complete with a walkthrough sea aquarium called "Oceanium". The hard techno music style Gabber originated from Rotterdam. The architect J. J. P. Oud was a famous Rotterdammer in his days.

Related Topics:
European Culture Capital - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra - Oceanium - Gabber - J. J. P. Oud

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The city is home to the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts.

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Rotterdam is currently going through somewhat of a renaissance, with some moderately successful urban renewal projects featuring ambitious architecture ('Manhattan on The Maas'), an increasingly sparkling nightlife, and a host of summer festivals celebrating the city's multicultural population and identity, such as the Caribbean-inspired 'Summer Carnival', the Dance Parade, the Metropolis popfestival and the World Port days. With the International Filmfestival in january, Poetry International Festival in June, the Valery Gergiev Festival in September they make Rotterdam a real event city.

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The self-image of the city is that of a no-nonsense workers' city. In that sense, there is a healthy competition with Amsterdam, which is often viewed as the 'cultural' capital of the Netherlands.

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Rotterdam is also the home of Gabber music, a type of techno music with fast beats and samples.

Related Topics:
Gabber - Music - Techno music

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