Hamburg-There are a series of important cultural anniversaries in 2009:

GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1789): The 250th anniversary of the death of the German composer, who was born as Georg Friedrich Haendel, will be marked by events in his hometown of Halle as well as in London, where he spent most of his adult life. Handel is renowned as a prolific Baroque composer of operas and oratorios, the most famous of which is The Messiah with the rousing Hallelujah chorus. While living in London, a monument was erected to his honour. The anniversary festivities start in Halle on February 23, Handel's birthday, with a series of performances. The climax of the celebrations with be a radio event to mark the 250th anniversary of his death on April 19, when the radio stations of more than 40 European cities will put on concerts. From June 4 to 14, the traditional Handel Festival will take place in Halle. (Internet: www. haendel-in-Halle. de)

JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809): The year 2009 marks the bicentenary of the Austrian composer's death. Haydn is known as the father of the classical symphony and the string quartet. Most famously, August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben used the tune of the second movement from Haydn's Emperor Quartet to set the words of Das Lied der Deutschen to, which later became the German national anthem. Haydn wrote 107 symphonies and 14 Masses and also worked as a musical director and Kapellmeister, or chapel master. In addition to the traditional Haydn festival in Eisenstadt, where for decades Haydn served the Eszterhazy Hungarian noble family, there will also be numerous concerts and operas performed throughout the year, and there will be many exhibitions. (Internet: www. haydn2009. at)

FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY (1809-47): The German composer was born 200 years ago in Hamburg. Mendelssohn is considered one of the most famous artists of the 19th century and a mediator between religions. Although he died at the age of 38, he wrote some 400 works, including many significant oratorios. In 2009, there will be exhibitions about Mendelssohn in Berlin and Leipzig, where he died. There will be many famous artists performing at the Mendelssohn festival in Leipzig from August 21 to September 19. There will also be three debut performances that will concentrate on Mendelssohn's works. (Internet: www. mendelssohn-2009. org)

BAUHAUS (founded 1919): Architect Walter Gropius founded the "Staatliche Bauhaus" (National Building House), a design college, 90 years ago in the Thuringian town of Weimar in central Germany. Each product the Bauhaus designers produced was supposed to fulfill its function while being durable, cheap and beautiful. The concept became the foundation of modern industrial design and architecture. Bauhaus is considered a modern icon. In 2009, numerous exhibitions will look at the history of the Bauhaus movement and its artists, for example in Weimar and Erfurt. (Internet: www. bauhaus2009. de)

JEAN CAUVIN/JOHN CALVIN (1509-64): There will be a series of events in Switzerland, France and Germany to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant reformer, including lectures, concerts, religious services and exhibitions. Born in France as Jean Cauvin, Calvin studied theology in Paris. When he converted to Protestantism, he had to leave France and fled to Geneva in Switzerland. His teachings became known as Calvinism, which preaches the absolute holiness of God. (Internet: www. calvin2009. org)

EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-49): Born 200 years ago, US writer Poe is famous for numerous crime, science fiction and horror stories. To mark the bicentenary of his birth, the city of Baltimore in the US state of Maryland, where the writer died, is planning several events. In the German capital Berlin, the world premiere of the musical Edgar Allan Poe by Eric Woolfson will take place in the Admiralspalast theatre. (Internet: www. nevermore2009. com, www. edgar-allan-poe-musical. com) (dpa)