Sorry, if only you’d stayed on your island …
Before England’s European Championship match in Gelsenkirchen, a video of the deserted central station went viral. England’s Xer (formerly Twitter) Paul Brown wrote: „Gelsenkirchen looks like an absolute sh**hole. I can’t believe Germany is having games here.“
English TV presenter Kaveh Solhekol joins in with: „There’s not really much left in Gelsenkirchen.“
Hamburg komplett orangeUnfassbare Party-Bilder der Holland-Fans
I am a native of Gelsenkirchen, born 23 years ago in the heart of the Ruhr area, and I say: Gelsenkirchen has so much more to offer than the English eye (hopefully not clouded by alcohol) can see.
► So much warmth: In the Pott, you wear your heart on your sleeve, here everyone is always welcome everywhere. Also English fans …
The city of Gelsenkirchen is excited for the Euros
► Our zoo (ZOOM Erlebniswelt) attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The „Musiktheater im Revier“ (MiR) is internationally renowned with its own „Dance Company“.
►Of course Schalke 04: Yes, currently caught up in the second division, the last few years in a fight for survival. But with around 164 000 members, the Royal Blues are still the sixth largest soccer club in the world – no english club can keep up with them.
The Schalke fans in the Veltins-Arena
►Myth of the Ruhr region. Mining estates and disused collieries create a feel-good atmosphere.
And: even Taylor Swift stops off in the Ruhr city on her tour, choosing this of all German cities …
Honestly! In your England, my Gelsenkirchen would be a pearl among the cities.
