Power to the Ruhr

As one of Europe’s largest energy suppliers RWE maintains a global perspective. Nevertheless the company retains close links with the region which has been home to its headquarters for many generations: this industrial success story is rooted in the Ruhr, the majority of its workforce and their families are based here. It therefore goes without saying that RWE lends its support to the region. This includes its involvement in art and culture – which reached a recent climax during the 2010 Capital of Culture year. As one of the main sponsors RWE helped both to ensure the success of this major event and to boost the international profile of the Ruhr as a cultural venue.

Many RWE employees were involved too – supported by RWE Companius, the company's voluntary organisation. As volunteers they showed visitors how to get to exhibitions, events, or the nearest hotel, for instance, and also helped out at events.

In addition to the Ruhr atoll, RWE and its subsidiaries sponsored a whole range of RUHR.2010 projects. The biggest draws included the MUS-E laboratory, a programme for children and young people designed by the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation. From May to June 2010 some 50 school groups from Essen and the surrounding area designed exhibits - with the help of artists and physicists - that spanned the divide between art and science. The "RuhrNation” dance project brought young people from all over Europe together – and onto the stage of the Ruhr Festival. RWE Vertrieb AG was the main sponsor of the project. On 16th September two students set out on a journey from Essen to Istanbul in an innovative electric sports car: on the RWE Effizienz GmbH Tesla Tour they travelled from one Capital of Culture to the other - naturally with blog coverage courtesy of energiekulturruhr.de.