Opening celebrations for the European Capital of Culture RUHR 2010 in Essen, Germany. Eight angels appear in the world-cultural-heritage mine “Zollverein”. They can be seen for 45 minutes three times high up on the “black edge” of the coke production area. They are more than just symbols, but figures of memory. Specifically for the “Zollverein”- Mine they embody eight fates of the miner’s lives from the days of the pits. There is a canary breeder who found his love for these birds in the mines. Canaries were taken down into the shafts to test the oxygen content. An Italian immigrant worker who found his happiness with “Glück auf!” (the German miner’s motto for “good luck”). A miner’s wife who worried about her husband’s life each time he was late….
Two angel-researchers are on site on the ground with their binoculars and acoustic funnel. Miss Wallies and Mr. Zwiebler know theses angels well and help the people to learn about them and their stories.