Question 1: Today we’re visiting Dresden. Where is it?
- Germany
- Denmark
- Poland
Answer: Germany
Fact: Dresden, the capital of Saxony, was almost completely destroyed in the Allied bombings of 1945 during World War II. After the war, it became part of East Germany until the country’s reunification in 1990. Today, the restored Frauenkirche, Zwinger, and Semperoper highlight the city’s rich Baroque heritage.
Question 2: Which river flows through the city of Dresden?
- Danube
- Elbe
- Main
Answer: Elbe
Fact: The Elbe River originates in the Krkonoše Mountains of the Czech Republic and flows northwest through Germany, ultimately emptying into the North Sea near Cuxhaven. Spanning approximately 724 miles, the river has played a vital role in trade for centuries and served as a dividing line between East and West Germany during the Cold War.
Question 3: Which anti-war novel is set in Dresden?
- The Pendragon Legend by Antal Szerb
- Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Answer: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Fact: Slaughterhouse-Five focuses on the firebombing of Dresden during World War II, an event witnessed by the protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, while he is held as a prisoner of war. The novel is deeply rooted in author Kurt Vonnegut’s own experiences, as he too was a prisoner in Dresden during the bombing.