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Culture and arts

“Our culture has grown like a strong, diversified mixed woodland. It contributes to the fresh air needed for survival.“

This quote by the former German president, Richard von Weizsäcker, reflects the cultural spirit of the Metropole Ruhr perfectly. The region’s wide-ranging culture has developed over the years and decades to become what it is today: a unique and internationally recognised cultural landscape. Culture-lovers will find what they are looking for here all year round, whatever their interests. And what’s more: the region’s culture has also developed its own identity as part of the changes which have taken place here.

Large-scale events attract hundreds of thousands of visitors

Europe’s third-largest conurbation offers numerous large-scale events of national and international importance. The Ruhr Triennale, for example, is an international festival of arts taken from various fascinating points in industrial culture as well as paying impressive homage to new artistic developments. From 2005 to 2007, the Ruhr Triennale attracted more than 200,000 visitors to the area under the directorship of Jürgen Flimm. In 2008, more than 100 music and theatre events, dance performances and literature events were held here. The KlavierFestivalRuhr, the world’s largest piano festival, also takes place here. In 2008, 63,000 visitors attended the 77 concerts held over ten weeks at 15 different festival halls in the region. In 1977, the ‘Duisburger Akzente’ North Rhine-Westphalia festival of culture was founded, held over several weeks. Scientific symposiums also take place in the region, in addition to the theatre, dance, performing arts and art events.

: [+] Ruhrtriennale, scene from ‘Nacht der Salzlager’

: [+] Schauspielhaus Bochum, one of the best stages in Germany

The Mülheim theatre days have been taking place since 1976. The idea is unique: seven or eight original performances are staged in Germany and then voted for by a jury and by the public. The winner receives 15,000 euros – the prestigious Mülheim dramatist prize. The Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen festivals are supported by the ‘Kunst für Kohle’ campaign. This European festival is visited by guests from all over the world. In 2007, 75,000 visitors came to see the 234 performances and over 50 productions. When it comes to film, there is the Oberhausen international short film days festival and the Duisburg film week, an annual film festival for German documentary films which has been running since 1990. The Oberhausen international short film days festival was founded in 1954 and as such is the world’s oldest short film festival. The films are often political in slant. Some 1000 professional visitors from all over the world come to see the 6000 competition entries received each year from over 90 countries. The Duisburg film week is a renowned centre for documentary discourse between film makers and the public. The highlight is the annual awarding of the documentary film prize.

European Capital of Culture 2010

The Metropole Ruhr has been awarded the title of European capital of culture for 2010. The events planned for the project are divided into four themed categories: ‘city of opportunity’, ‘city of arts’, ‘city of culture’ and ‘city of creativity’. Visitors will be received at welcome centres in Duisburg, Oberhausen, Essen, Bochum and Dortmund. The programme will take place across the entire region with its 200 museums, 100 cultural centres and concert halls, 210 theatres and 250 festivals and celebrations. The region is also home to 3,500 industrial monuments including unique locations such as the Zeche Zollverein mine, the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum hall, the Oberhausen Gasometer and the Duisburg-Nord landscaped park.

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Cultural attractions

Past, present and history in the Metropole Ruhr – the industrial culture discovery trail offers special experiences. This 400 km long circular route encompasses 52 sites of cultural heritage from the region’s past and present as well as 25 themed routes for a more in-depth exploration. Previously inaccessible areas are now accessible. The route offers breathtaking views, renowned art museums and cultural highlights. Industrial culture policy in the Ruhr district focuses on the newly defined use of space and buildings, rather than museum conservation. A particular visitor highlight on the route is the Zeche Zollverein mine, a unique testament to the region’s technological and architectural past. The Metropole Ruhr’s creative and design scene has established itself here more recently. An additional highlight is the LWL-Museum museum of archaeology in Herne which showcases archaeology in Westphalia. This is one of the most modern archaeological museums in Europe with its unique concept and design.