CELEBRATIONS TRACE LUTHER'S LIFE AND WORK.

Byline: Jennifer Merin Associated Press 

In this ancient mining town in the foothills of the Harz Mountains, Martin Luther lived and died and, as a religious reformer, changed the course of world history.

This year, Eisleben is the hub of activity marking the 450th anniversary of Luther's death - at age 92 on Feb. 18, 1546. A host of other anniversaries will be marked in Europe throughout the year, including the advent of Hungary 1,100 years ago.

For Luther, there are special tours through historic and scenic towns, including Eisleben, his hometown; Mansfeld, where he spent his youth; Erfurt, where he attended university; Leipzig, which he frequently visited; Wittenberg, where he worked for 36 years and where he is buried.

Also, Torgau, where Luther drew up the Torgau Articles, part of the Augsburg Confession; Augsburg, where the Protestant confession of faith was first stated; Worms, where he defended his theses before the Imperial Diet; Eisenach and Coburg, where he hid; Magdeburg, where he preached; and Nurnberg, which in 1524-25, became the first free city to introduce Reformation.

The calendar of events includes church services, concerts, theater performances and seminars offering insight into Luther's life and ideology and the history and culture of the Reformation.

February church services and concerts in Eisleben and other cities marked Luther's death.

From April 14-21, a reenactment of Luther's journey from Wittenberg to Worms is scheduled. June 14-16, Eisleben's Historic Old Town Festival will feature food and drink, song and other entertainment from Luther's day.

And on Sept. 9, Eisenach plans a church music and jazz festival intended to build a cultural bridge between Martin Luther and Martin Luther King.

For more information, call the German National Tourist Office, [phone], or the Europe Travel Commission, [phone].