The story of Martin Luther's life and Reformation history
not only changed the church as an institution,
it also influenced culture and architecture.
As the 16th Century began,
Renaissance thinking was blossoming,
education and art were being sought out.
A monk and professor,
Martin Luther lived in the Augustinian Monastery
on Wittenberg's east side.
His 95 Theses were meant to inspire an academic discussion about indulgences
(paying $$ to the Pope/Church to be absolved of wrong doing,
get rid of Catholic guilt etc.)
Residents of Germany and Hungary
were said to actively engage in the practice.
Several excellent museums and exhibitions
tracked Reformation movement as it spread to various German cities.
We went to numerous exhibits and attempted to educate ourselves.
Germany celebrated 20 years of reunification this past fall. Former provinces of East Germany have seen population loss of 14 to 30%. Decline is continuing, redevelopment is necessary to deal with problems of unoccupied buildings and deterioration of municipalities.
Sunday morning before hitting the autobahn,
we meandered on backroads.
It didn't take long to see the scars of hard economic years,
but yet pride and dignity
were displayed in some well kept homes.
Culturally East Germans have maintained
a love for the arts,
especially classical music.
Seventeen communities in the Saxony-Anhalt region have come together
addressing issues of specific relevance to each.
Their goal being to develop sustainable profiles that give a sense of place to residents.
Most funding in the 1990's to the East went for roadways and core retail areas.
Now intense effort
from those closest to depressed
areas is needed.
not only changed the church as an institution,
it also influenced culture and architecture.
As the 16th Century began,
Renaissance thinking was blossoming,
education and art were being sought out.
A monk and professor,
Martin Luther lived in the Augustinian Monastery
on Wittenberg's east side.
His 95 Theses were meant to inspire an academic discussion about indulgences
(paying $$ to the Pope/Church to be absolved of wrong doing,
get rid of Catholic guilt etc.)
Residents of Germany and Hungary
were said to actively engage in the practice.
Several excellent museums and exhibitions
tracked Reformation movement as it spread to various German cities.
We went to numerous exhibits and attempted to educate ourselves.
Germany celebrated 20 years of reunification this past fall. Former provinces of East Germany have seen population loss of 14 to 30%. Decline is continuing, redevelopment is necessary to deal with problems of unoccupied buildings and deterioration of municipalities.
Sunday morning before hitting the autobahn,
we meandered on backroads.
It didn't take long to see the scars of hard economic years,
but yet pride and dignity
were displayed in some well kept homes.
Culturally East Germans have maintained
a love for the arts,
especially classical music.
Seventeen communities in the Saxony-Anhalt region have come together
addressing issues of specific relevance to each.
Their goal being to develop sustainable profiles that give a sense of place to residents.
Most funding in the 1990's to the East went for roadways and core retail areas.
Now intense effort
from those closest to depressed
areas is needed.
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