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Congresses are something for experts. That's why those affected have been invited to the 'arts for education!' conference: 100 young people from 34 countries meet up in Essen, the Capital of Culture, to discuss the future of cultural education with other experts. By Christoph Mücher

E-y-j-a-f-j-a-l-l-a-j-ö-k-u-l-l. Patiently Gudny communicates the pronunciation of the notorious volcano that has brought the small country of Iceland distinctly into the consciousness of the Central European populace. Marvin shows he's keen to learn and as quick as a flash has managed to master the pronunciation.

Learning with each other and also from each other is the aim of 100 young people that have come together in the European culture capital of Essen. The reason for the meeting is 'arts for education!', an international congress with which Stiftung Mercator (the Mercator Foundation) is attempting to fathom the important question of cultural education in all its facets. The prominent representatives from city, state and federation are immediately unanimous as to its importance. "Cultural education is one of the central themes for the future, over and across national borders," subsumes State Minister for Culture Bernd Neumann, finding eloquent support from Bogdan Zdrojewski, the Polish Minister for Culture, and from the EC and European Parliament emissaries Jan Truszyzynski and Doris Pack.

In order for cross-border teamwork to also be possible for those that are familiar with the theme of cultural education from their own situations, the Mercator Foundation along with the Goethe-Institut has invited 100 young people gathered from 34 countries to come together and exchange their experiences. "We didn't just want to talk about young people but mainly to talk with them," stated Bernhard Lorentz, Managing Director of the Mercator Foundation.

Pupils and speakers formulate their concerns about schools based on real life confidently, eloquently and imaginatively, and exhibit an appreciation for culture that extends beyond the canons of high culture to come to terms with the cultural characteristics of youthful commitment. Trips to the 'lighthouses' of the Ruhr culture region ensure both sights and insights.

The young Serbian Nevenka Ametovic was in the JAS, the youth architecture city, with the 'Architecture and Space' group. "I'm very much interested in culture, especially the stage," explained Nevenka, who applied as soon as participation in the Essen symposium had been announced. "There were applicants from the whole of Serbia" she explained, "and we had to write an essay about the question of what culture means for us." The answers to these questions were so original and apt that the event organisers published them as part of a small postcard series.

Hanna and Gudny were purposefully asked by their teachers. For the Swede Hanna, culture is an indispensable part of her leisure time, and Gudny qualified herself through her love of music and foreign languages. She registered in the dance metropolis Essen for the dance group. "We danced out our names to get to know each other," she explained, clearly impressed.

Hardly any of the pupils were familiar with the city of Essen. "I only knew that Essen means the 'ingestion of nutrition' said Gudny with a wink. Nevenka had at least once been in the Ruhr metropolis, but only for shopping. And now she's seen 'an amazing amount', and could well imagine living there.

Marvin has also learnt a lot. Together with his class he prepared for the visit of the guests over a time period of several months. "You get to know your home surroundings in a completely new way when you want to present them to guests," said the pupil from Essen. "What remains are a whole lot of impressions", and the perfect pronunciation of an Icelandic volcano famous throughout the world.