Making Virtual into Real: European Authors Forum

The internet certainly provides multitudes of opportunities for communication on a global scale, these namely being the ease, speed as well as the chance of meeting new people you would never have as far as real life is concerned. However it still cannot compare to the facets face-to-face communication presents.

Starting a blog about culture and creative industries on an international web-site is exciting but communicating only via e-mails and getting to know the initiatives and editorial team online makes you wonder the structure that you are part of.

European Authors Forum was held on 29^th July in Dortmund, a city well aware of the fact that development comes with culture as well as industrial and economic growth. Except from the 2010lab.tv team in Dortmund, there were 10 international writers coming from big cities of Europe, experiencing and sharing the cultural climates of their cities. Although we have been reading each other’s articles and have an opinion of lab.tv policy, meeting factor is so real that you eventually feel like you are not only writing for a blog but you are part of a creative team believes in change.

 

Forum Meeting at Dortmunder U
 

The landmark of the city, Dortmunder U is impossible not to be seen from anywhere in town and it has a remarkable screen on the top, designed by the artist Dr. Andreas Broeckmann, showing pigeons looking over the town, water fall or fire. The building was renovated during Essen’s being capital of culture in 2010. Once being a former brewery tower, Dortmunder U is turned into a creative arts centre. Every floor has different functions and solves the basic problem of culture sector: the space. While you experience different exhibitions and projections on each floor, you can end up enjoying a spectacular view and delicious cuisine on top floor.

Exchanging ideas and brainstorming on 2010lab.tv

The meeting of the executive and editorial board with writers turned into a brainstorming on cultural awareness in cities, future of cities, common issues of culture policies, and developments of Internet.

Tinny impressions from Dortmund Vacation

- “Last Party Before Ramadan”: This was on a poster that we have seen while on the way to Essen, belonging to a club called “Taksim” and calling people to have the last party before fasting in holy month, Ramadan.

- An empty church turned into a creative quarter: a railway station and restaurant owner renovates an abandoned church to be a space for especially street artists. Including a stage, it is also open to public for events.

- Essen-Zollverein Trip Manfred Heinfeldner

- Juicy Beats Music Festival