German Chancellor Angela Merkel wore a low-cut dress to the opening of the Oslo Opera House on Saturday. The media's eager focus 'surprised' -- though perhaps did not amuse -- her. German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not predict that the dress she wore to the opera on Saturday -- with its very plunging neckline -- would draw as much attention as it did. "The chancellor was a bit surprised that this evening dress caused such a splash" Thomas Steg, the government's deputy spokesman, told reporters Monday. "That wasn't the chancellor's intention," Steg assured reporters, adding: "When there's nothing more important in the world to talk about than an evening dress, then you probably can't help it." The dress in question was a long black dress with a blue bolero shawl. Merkel wore it Saturday evening when she joined King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway for the opening celebrations of Oslo's new €530 million ($840 million) Opera House. Steg also expressed his hope that the Norwegian royal family did not feel one-upped by Merkel's dress, which admittedly "drew a lot of attention."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel wore a low-cut dress to the opening of the Oslo Opera House on Saturday. The media's eager focus 'surprised' -- though perhaps did not amuse -- her.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not predict that the dress she wore to the opera on Saturday -- with its very plunging neckline -- would draw as much attention as it did.
"The chancellor was a bit surprised that this evening dress caused such a splash" Thomas Steg, the government's deputy spokesman, told reporters Monday.
"That wasn't the chancellor's intention," Steg assured reporters, adding: "When there's nothing more important in the world to talk about than an evening dress, then you probably can't help it."
The dress in question was a long black dress with a blue bolero shawl. Merkel wore it Saturday evening when she joined King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway for the opening celebrations of Oslo's new €530 million ($840 million) Opera House.
Steg also expressed his hope that the Norwegian royal family did not feel one-upped by Merkel's dress, which admittedly "drew a lot of attention."
I have read all the comments about Merkel's dress this evening...it was a special occasion, and her dress was right for it, in my opinion. Norwegians have had a dream about an opera house for 120 years...at last, here it is:
http://www.aftenposten.no/kul_und/article2362918.ece
(sorry about the bad link - videos and pictures from inside and outside if you click on the tabs.)
'Opening night at the Opera' - Aftenposten.no
The expression took on a whole new meaning in Oslo over the weekend, when the Norwegian capital's brand new Opera House officially opened in a blaze of formalities and fireworks. (...) Praise for the Opera House's architecture and acoustics was widespread. Paul Curran, due to take over as chief of the Norwegian Opera, had no doubts the Opera House would be a grand success. "I've worked at the opera in Sydney, in Covent Garden and several operas in Europe, but I think this is the most beautiful Opera House I've seen," Curran said. "For me, it's a great honour to be part of the future of this building." (...) The opening of the Opera House has been called the biggest cultural event in Norway since the opening of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim in the Middle Ages. The building, designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, is an impressive mix of white marble and glass rising from the Oslo Fjord. Admirers say it symbolizes Norway's icebergs and vast wintry spaces. Saturday's opening events culminated in a massive fireworks display just before midnight. People streamed back to the building on Sunday, when the Opera House reopened for tours and ticket sales. By early afternoon, long lines had formed at the entrance and all tours of the interior were sold out. It was still possible, however, for the public to wander all around the building and to the top of its roof, which offers a new view of the fjord and eastern downtown. (...)
(...)
Praise for the Opera House's architecture and acoustics was widespread. Paul Curran, due to take over as chief of the Norwegian Opera, had no doubts the Opera House would be a grand success.
"I've worked at the opera in Sydney, in Covent Garden and several operas in Europe, but I think this is the most beautiful Opera House I've seen," Curran said. "For me, it's a great honour to be part of the future of this building."
The opening of the Opera House has been called the biggest cultural event in Norway since the opening of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim in the Middle Ages. The building, designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, is an impressive mix of white marble and glass rising from the Oslo Fjord. Admirers say it symbolizes Norway's icebergs and vast wintry spaces.
Saturday's opening events culminated in a massive fireworks display just before midnight. People streamed back to the building on Sunday, when the Opera House reopened for tours and ticket sales.
By early afternoon, long lines had formed at the entrance and all tours of the interior were sold out. It was still possible, however, for the public to wander all around the building and to the top of its roof, which offers a new view of the fjord and eastern downtown.
About 20 years ago, it was finally decided that now is the time to build the opera. Then it took about 12 years of political wrangling to decide where it should be located, a few years of planning and building... And here it is.
We have of course had opera before, but in a building not quite fit for purpose.
It's fool-proof!
She either has very good taste in clothing, or employs someone who does.
Also, she is a model for women everywhere. Women are severely under-represented in positions of authority all over the world.
I am no right winger but I was very glad that someone put a stop to this encirclement of Russia.
Don't implement any significant changes, but stay on top while letting your internal enemies self-destruct -- she was a good apprentice to the Godfather. (So good that she went Brutus over him in the party finance scandal, a move that anno dacuma launched her leadership bid.)
On the Russia policy, that certainly wasn't she. It's long-standing German Staatsräson, and it took some time (and some pressure) until Merkel swung behind Schröder's line. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
She was.
I am sure she got a lot of pressure to be more of an Atlanticist on this question from her own party and from allies.
Women cannot say the same and it's a whole new experience for all of womankind every time this happens. And, amazingly, it's 2008 of the C.E. !
inappropriate clothing is a surefire way to erode one's image as long as people care about such things.
everyone cares about such things, or most everyone because outward appearance is one way we, as human beings, use to judge others
you have seen countless studies on such things I am sure
I suspect men face this to a lesser extent, usually with more attention paid to what their dress says about how much money they make than what it says about their sexuality. Though I suspect there is a smidgen of that too.
It's great to say, who cares?! It's super that YOU don't care. Lots of other people do, though. We are still animals negotiating hierarchies. We've not transcended into some otherwordly race yet... "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
I've had to struggle to understand much of what is happening around here lately. Many of you seem to be in a bad mood. I don't know if it is the poor economic outlook or what. But a drum circle may be in order... For valid reasons or not, lots of people are feeling barked at and alienated. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
That's bad because my continued questioning of who cares (to which I did get an answer) is directly connected. Either I parsed it badly, or you followed this discussion via Recent Comments. I am referring to the thread-starter SPIEGEL article on Merkel. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
you are the media you consume.
No idea what DoDo's trying to say, though. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
we should coin one.
That is exactly what sexism is!
Reminds me of a bad joke the punchline of which is "the Potato, it goes in the front." "I said, 'Wait a minute, Chester, You know I'm a peaceful man...'" Robbie Robertson
He's eccentric. Sure. But not that. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
