Ruhrtriennale 2025 has come to an end!

On Sunday, 21 September, the Ruhrtriennale 2025 has come to an end. This year, more than 630 artists from 38 countries were guests. There were a total of 35 productions and projects with 136 events at eleven different venues in Bochum, Duisburg, Gladbeck, and Essen. Around 77,000 people visited the Ruhrtriennale this year, including over 40,000 who attended the free events at the Wunderland festival centre or the exhibition Zwischen Erfinden und Erfassen by Urbane Künste Ruhr in Duisburg's inner harbour.

Artistic director Ivo Van Hove: "This year once again, the themes of the Ruhrtriennale resonated deeply with people. I was delighted by the many conversations and discussions - whether with participants of the International Festival Campus or with our festival guests. The topics ranged widely: from the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in Oracle; to our relationship with nature in Falaise and before and after nature; to questions of crisis, war, and violence, explored by FC Bergman in Guernica Guernica and by the dance production Último Helecho, among others. I am truly encouraged by this positive response and look forward to next year, with its many productions and conversations that will continue to engage with the pressing issues of our time."

The Ruhrtriennale 2026 will take place from mid-August to mid-September. Our aftermovie and a photo gallery recap the highlights of this year's festival.