To accompany the scientific program of the Summer School and to give participants the opportunity to get to know their fellow scholars from all over the world, a social program was developed that consist of several meals, guided tours and other activities. For some of these optional events, participants may be charged with a small fee and some of the meals may require self-pay. The social program is subject to change. Details will follow.
Those participants using the free bus service from the ICA in Prague to Münster will have the unique opportunity to visit the city of Weimar on a short stop-over. The city of poets and artists has much more to offer than just a lunch option on a lengthy bus ride. As the Cultural Capital of Europe in 1999 it has been home to many great people including Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Bach, Liszt, Wieland, Cranach, van de Velde and Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus. For generations, Weimar, that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, has attracted visitors from all over the world with its famous bronze monument to Goethe and Schiller outside the German National Theatre in front of which there will be time to take selfies from all possible angles before getting back on the bus.
For the opportunity of meeting fellow participants and speakers for the first time as well as stretch out the legs after the journey to Münster, a Get Together will be organized. It will take place in the A2 bistro right on the shore of Lake Aasee. Chat with others while enjoying some delicious food in the form of a flying dinner.
A large weekly market that dates back to the Middle Age takes place in the shadow of the cathedral every Wednesday and Saturday. This is where you will find everything that is typically Westphalian and delicacies from all over the world like “Mettendchen” (sausage), delicious selections of local cheese, Italian coffee specialties and more.
Wednesday evening will bring the opportunity to get to explore Münster with your eyes, ears and stomach. Participants will be picked up from the lecture hall to go on a guided walk through the historical city center. Learn about Münsters past including the Westphalian peace of 1648 and the reign of the Anabaptists and get to know Germany’s most famous TV-policeman – superintendent Thiel and Prof. Boerne – from the crime series “Tatort” that is plotted in Münster. After the walk you will have the opportunity to try typical Westphalian food and local beer in the Restaurant “Drübbelken” located in a traditional building.
“All on board!” Thursday night we will go on a cruise with Münster’s unique sightseeing boat “MS Günther”. The boat is a story on its own: Named after Günther Jauch, show host of the German version of “Who wants to be a millionaire?”, the money needed to buy and establish the ship was won as the million-euro-prize in the show by a local student and then the boat was babtized by the show host himself. We will go up and down the canal that connects Münster with our neighbor city Dortmund, have some food and drinks and maybe will have the opportunity to pass the local lock. Rumor has it, that there might be the opportunity to witness a special DJ set organized by the Summer School’s speakers.
Before it is time to say goodbye there will be an opportunity to dance. The farewell evening will take place in Münster’s “Walk of Fame”. Nowadays a party location, the venue has a past as the local brothel.
Von © Günter Seggebäing, CC BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
No visit to Münster – the bicycle capital of Germany - will be complete without riding a bike at least once. Those participants that stay in Münster until Sunday evening or Monday have the chance to feel like a local on an organized bike tour to Hülshoff Water Castle and back. Starting on the Promenade – Münster’s bicycle highway – we will find our way along the shore of lake Aasee and through the fields of the Münsterland to Hülshoff Water Castle, home to famous German poet Anette von Droste-Hülshoff and therefore a historical monument on its own. Before biking back to Münster, participants can take an audio-guided tour through the castle, visit the deer cage or have some coffee and cake in the restaurant located in the basement.