"This used to be a region of smoldering chimneys," said German President Horst Koehler at the opening ceremony on Saturday, January 9. "Now instead of mining coal from below the ground, we are promoting the ideas that have been resting in the minds and hearts of the people."

The title of Cultural Capital 2010 was a windfall for the Ruhr, a former industrial powerhouse in western Germany that has been struggling with severe unemployment and poverty since the collapse of the coal-mining industry.

"Today is a dream come true, "said Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia Juergen Ruettgers.

Thousands of art and culture events are planned for the coming year and over five million visitors are expected.

Viewers tune in

The televised opening ceremony was watched by nearly two million people and included musical performances and a fireworks display. Popular German singer Herbert Grönemeyer presented his new song "Come to the Ruhr,” which quickly developed into the anthem of the weekend.

EU Commission President Barroso praised the mix of cultures in the “Kohlenpott”, as the region is known colloquially.

"The Kohlenpott is a melting pot of peoples and cultures," Barroso said. "The diversity in the Ruhr region is now greater than ever.”

The Ruhr region, home to 53 cities and 5.3 million inhabitants, was selected as the European Culture Capital alongside the Turkish city Istanbul and the Hungarian town of Pecs.

The selection of the Ruhr marks the first time a region, rather than a city, has been awarded the distinction.

smh/dpa/epa

Editor: Toma Tasovac