The German language is heading out on a world tour within the framework of the “Echo 2010” project. Equipped with a suitcase and a map of the world, it will travel to destinations in eight different countries. Cornelia Pieper, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, will launch the project this Wednesday (9 June) at 9.30 a.m. in the atrium of the Federal Foreign Office.

Commenting on the project, Minister of State Pieper issued the following statement:

“There are many good reasons to learn German and that is the message we want to get across with this project. The German language is the key to a lucrative market and to the global network of German companies. It is the key to one of the best education systems in the world, to over 350 universities and, last but not least, the German language is the key to one of the great European cultural traditions.”

For the launch event students at German Schools in Manila, Beijing and Quito will decorate a map of Europe with their favourite words and fitting illustrations. Minister of State Pieper will sign the map and place the first language-related object in the suitcase – her favourite book. Thereafter the suitcase will be picked up by DHL and delivered to its first destination, South Africa.

Projects related to the German language are planned at each of the suitcase’s destinations. For example, there will be initiatives related to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a visit to the EXPO in Shanghai, and the suitcase will also take part in a hip-hop workshop in Japan as well as German language festivals, including one in Novosibirsk, Russia.

Rimowa and DHL are supporting the project.