How about a Beethoven-sized welcome to Bonn? Right here at the Weberstra\u00dfe level crossing, just before the main station, stands a vibrant mural. This isn’t just any painting. This is “Die Stadt bewegt ihn und er bewegt die Stadt”. The city moves him and he moves the city.
This massive Beethoven facade painting measures 8 x 13 meters. It welcomes Bonn visitors with open arms. The mural is the brainchild of Aphe. Aphe is the alias of Sven Oliver Hollatz, a then 27-year-old graffiti artist.
Edith Bosau, a Bonn citizen, initiated this special gift. She was a new member of B\u00dcRGER F\u00dcR BEETHOVEN. Stephan Eisel, the chairman, expressed his gratitude. He said that such civic initiatives are needed to profile Bonn as the city of Beethoven.
Hollatz discovered spray painting as his artistic medium in 2006. He was a student at the Alanus Hochschule f\u00fcr Kunst und Gesellschaft in Alfter. In 2017, he received the DIE Prize for up-and-coming artists from the German Institute for Adult Education.
When Edith Bosau commissioned him to create a mural as an entrance gate for train travelers to Bonn, Hollatz immediately thought of Ludwig van Beethoven. Hollatz said he wanted to open an imaginary space. He wanted viewers to immerse themselves in it. Beethoven and the piano keyboard seem to float in the middle of the room. Beethoven has his eyes closed and is completely absorbed in his composition. His perception is sharpened to the surrounding influences of his environment. Everything begins to move. Everything begins to instrumentalize itself and flow into the music.
Edith Bosau hoped Bonn’s citizens would also enjoy it. She thanked the Bonn city monument authority and Deutsche Bahn for their support. They helped realize this unusual idea.
The title “Die Stadt bewegt ihn und er bewegt die Stadt” aptly describes Beethoven’s attachment to his homeland. It unerringly points in the direction Bonn must take as a Beethoven city. It’s a testament to Beethoven’s enduring influence. It highlights Bonn’s identity as his city. So, as you gaze upon this mural, remember it is more than just paint. It is a vibrant symbol of Bonn’s heart and soul.