Dear Sirs and Madams, highly honoured artists and curators, venerated guests of honour.
As the mayor of the „Glass town“ of Zwiesel I am pleased to welcome you here in this ancient monastery building of the year 1889, which once was home of the girls' school and today is the cultural centre of our town.
++ Personal greetings ++
Glass is as old as the world itself. The people of the Neolithic age already knew to take advantage of obsidians which were resulting from volcanic activity. They used them to produce weapons and jewellery. In the course of the centuries glass became what it is today: One of the most important and multi-functional materials which are known. Recently I have read an article in the newspaper „Die Welt“ which described glass as one of the top materials of the future. It is extremely hard and at the same time flexible and intelligent. A future vision is to integrate energy producing solar cells into streets or to produce window panes that are able to forward moodlifting light particles into the building. Glass as a antidepressant drug. What a nice imagination!
Being fond of technology my approach to the subject is of course more a cientific one. As already mentioned I am really enthusiastic about the results of modern research and devellopment. Glass resists lightning and hail, bridges are built out of glass and the first load-bearing walls made of glass are being manufactured, too. It seems that in the future there won't be any limits for the raw material glass which by then won't be as breakable as it is today.
Glass, however, makes much more possible, as we are once again shown today in a most impressive way. „Art comes from ability“, is a true saying. And today we all can assure ourselves of its truth. In the right hands gorgeous works of art can be generated.
Way back that it was a secret: The „ZwieselerGlastage“ are among the most important glass art exhibitions that are presented in Germany. This is an undoubted fact among the circles of experts as well as among the multitudinous visitors who have marvelled at the exhibits and also purchased them during the last 27 years. It is the merit of the agenda working team „ArbeitskreisGlas“ and its volunteers, actively supported by the Town council of Zwiesel, who, year in and year out, take care of these inspiring presentations of glass art and the most attractive side programme in our „Glass town“. For this commitment I may express my utmost gratitude, my acknowledgement and my respect not only as the mayor of Zwiesel but also personally.
Two years ago, at the 25th anniversary, all participants actually agreed on the fact that it would hardly be possible to improve this exhibition in quality and/or attractivity. Today I have to admit that this was wrong. Once again an improvement was possible. What we get to admire this year is again sensational!
I am truely fascinated of and enthused about the artistic variety of forms, colours, materials and technical innovations. The exhibits have an aura of grace and perfection which nobody can resist.
More than 100 glass artists from Zwiesel and its neighbouring regions as well as exhibitors from 16 countries present a summary of their work. In three rooms spread over two floors more than 150 exhibits can be gazed at. This international exhibition on glass art together with its special show „Phantasy in glass jewellery“ is the centrepiece of the „Glastage“. The recently opened cultural centre is like perfectly suitale for this exquisit display of sophisticated glass art. I am pleased to repeat myself: Together with the „Glass night“ and a top-class framework programme the exhibition on glass art and its special show are of international reputation. I would like to thank again all responsable persons and volunteers for their commitment also in the name of the Councilers of Zwiesel.
„Fein Glas und gut Holz – sind Zwiesels Stolz“ (that means: Excellent glass and good timber work – that is what the people of Zwiesel are proud of; the translator)
this is the town's maxim. They have played an important role to make sure that this saying keeps being valid in the future.
In this spirit I am wishing together with all the citizens of Zwiesel that the exhibition will get the desired and well-earned exit and I am looking forward to enjoying the exiting and diversified events and activities.