The financal crises as we experience it in Bruges

We read about the financial crisis here, we discuss it, we laugh about it, and between us the Norvegians we joke about buying Iceland, but all in all it doesn't have much of an inpact on our lifes. That is, it didn't until last week. Last week we were supposed to have the grand opening here at the college, with prominent guests including ambassadors, ministers and not at least the German chancelor Angela Merkel as our opening speaker. Those who have an acceptable amount of understanding of international politics know that Germany is a fairly important country, especially when it comes to European economics, and that the German chancellor has a bit of a saying in Germany. With this as our foundations, we all looked forward to listen to Ms Merkel holding the opening speech. Alas, our optimism was ruined. On Tuesday morning, as we enjoyed a cup of coffee between our readings, the message came that the opening the same night was cancelled. Reason: Ms Merkel had to attend an extra-ordinary session in the Bundestag because of the crisis. Jean Monnet, François Mitterand, Juan Carlos, Jaque Delors, Margeret Thatcher, they are but a few of the prominent personalities who have held the opening speech, but Angela Merkel, because the Dow Jones, the CAC 40 and the DAX all fell a few points, decided to prioritize German domestic politicians over the future leaders in Brussels. I guess that's the price we pay for being otherwise untouched. However, Ms Merkel, 20 years from now, it's payback time, and it's your country who'll pay.