Ruhrtriennale enters its final week

The programme for this final week of the Ruhrtriennale 2025 is nothing short of spectacular! In addition to a concert programme celebrating the 25th anniversary of Chorwerk Ruhr, we are focusing on two more world premieres and a “home game” at the Wunderland festival centre in Bochum. Here we will show you the highlights of the last week. 

An impossible thought experiment: In before and after nature, David Lang, one of the world’s most successful avant-garde composers, attempts to think nature outside of the human vision – and fails. The essence: We don’t have a way of talking about the world around us without putting us in it. Lang drew inspiration for the work from over 50 creation myths, only to then create his own. Tal Rosner creates video projections which show nostalgic images and at the same time open up new perspectives. With this concert Chorwerk Ruhr celebrates its 25th anniversary with the New York instrumental Ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars.

From 17 September at Maschinenhalle Zweckel

In the world premiere of Guernica Guernica, Belgian collective FC Bergman confronts the impossibility of truly representing war. They explore how artists can respond to war, the shifting roles of perpetrators and victims, and the uneasy gaze of those who watch. With more than 80 extras they turn the stage of Jahrhunderthalle Bochum into a war zone – part theatre, part living artwork, framed by two opposing grandstands.

From 19 September at Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

In spring 2025, the Junge Triennale interviewed 26 people from Gen Z (Generation Z). Generation Z includes people born between 1995 and 2010. The transcribed interview material was used to create a poetic theatre text that searches for a future. In GenZ Don't Cry nine teenagers meet Cassandra. Ridiculed as a madwoman, Cassandra grieves, for her visions and perception of reality are useless to those around her. They are full of accusation and anger, caught between collective discontent and the hope for change in a world that has fallen apart. In the world premiere on 18 September, the audience, equipped with headphones, is immersed in a 3D soundscape created live on stage. Familiarise yourself with the piece with the introduction by Britta Schünemann, head dramaturge of the Ruhrtriennale

From 18 September at Turbinenhalle near the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

Right at home: MARNELE does things differently. The newcomer from Bochum has decided that she doesn't have to choose between punchlines and poetry, reflection and fighting spirit, melancholy and self-empowerment, unequivocal statements and metaphorically coded messages. MARNELE is timeless poetry that finds expression in contemporary rap singing.

20 September, 5 pm, festival centre Wunderland

There are only bad headlines: it's too ugly, nothing's going on and it's too uncool. Nadia Aboulwafi and Christin Latniak are determined to dispel these clichés about the Ruhr area with their podcast Zwischen Gellek & Duisi! In their podcast, they seek out inspiring people and third places with a community feel. On 19 September, they will stop by our festival centre and talk to MARNELE and Joël-João.

19 September, 5 pm, festival centre Wunderland

On 21 September, the Mortier Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) will be awarded to conductor Hartmut Haenchen, while director Frieda Lange will receive the Mortier Next Generation Award (Emerging Talent Prize). The award ceremony at Jahrhunderthalle Bochum will be followed by a panel discussion with the award winners focussing on the topic of “Work and artistic freedom today”, hosted by Sivan Ben Yishai.

21 September, 1 pm, Jahrhunderthalle Bochum

You can find the full programme on our website. Book your tickets now to experience the unforgettable festival atmosphere at the Ruhrtriennale 2025 via www.ruhrtriennale.de