Cologne, a germanic settlement since 38.BC, was recognised as a roman city by Claudius in 50.AD. The coat of arms, depicting three crowns, reminds us that the bones of the Magi were said to have been brought here by the then archbishop, Rainald of Dassel in 1164. The cathedral begun in 1248 and completed in 1800 was built to house these Reliquia as well as those of St.Ursula and Albertus Magnus. St Ursula and 11 virgins were cruelly martyred by Atilla the Hun in 383, Albertus is best known as an aristotelian bishop in the 13.th century. But modern Germany also owes much to the city. The first post-WWII chancellor Konrad Adenauer was born here and the University is now the largest in Germany. Art-Cologne is only one of 30 major exhibitions taking place annually in this prosperous metropole of one million cosmopolitan inhabitants. The local dialect and also the beer are known as “Kölsch” and both must be experienced and savoured. The most famous export is probably Eau de Cologne, the product of an italian expatriate, Johann Maria Farina initially produced industrially at 4711 Glockengasse in the city-centre.

Our meeting this year will thematise medical care at the end of life. We have tried not to avoid the controversial aspects of this difficult subject.

We look forward to meeting and discussing these and other topics with you in September.