The opening weekend's programme

The packed programme for the opening weekend of the Ruhrtriennale 2025 kicks off with the opening production I Did It My Way, directed by artistic director Ivo Van Hove.

Artistic director Ivo Van Hove: "Once again we want to celebrate togetherness this year at the Ruhrtriennale, especially in these conflict-ridden times, when it is more important than ever. We have invited artists who want to understand and shape our changing world through art, and we are showing productions that address the issues of our time. In doing so, we always want to focus on what we have in common, on what connects us, not on what divides us."

On Friday 22 August, the project Zwischen Erfinden und Erfassen. Suchbewegungen im Duisburger Innenhafen organised by Urbane Künste Ruhr, will begin with performative works, workshops, guided tours and discussions. In the afternoon, the Wohnzimmerslam will kick off the Spoken Acts series, one of the new free-entry formats at the Wunderland festival centre. Immediately afterwards, the eight keyboard virtuosos of the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble will perform a programme of original compositions and arrangements in tribute to Wendy Carlos, one of the most significant figures in the history of electronic music. They will be equipped with rarities from the golden age of analogue mono synthesizers.

In the evening, we will travel to the Maschinenhalle Zweckel in Gladbeck, where the French ensemble Les Apaches ! will present their Rave-L Party, bringing Maurice Ravel's famous Boléro into the present and transforming it into a trance-like techno hit with Parisian DJ Tatyana Jane. 

Our Do-It-Yourself-Saturdays will continue on Saturday, 23 August. At Art to go, the Bochum-based Atelier Glücksmagnet combines creativity, sustainability and community in a fun way, inviting you to create your own works of art. If you're in the mood for indie pop, rock, soul or R&B, Wunderland is the place to be: Joël-João, a singer-songwriter, will open the Ruhr Diamonds concert series. Every Saturday at 5 pm, we will introduce you to young, talented musicians from the region.

From 10 pm, you can look forward to diasporic pop culture and cute club sounds. The Down The Rabbit Hole X Opening Weekend Party marks the start of the Down The Rabbit Hole party series. The line-up is impressive, with seren.a, Frau Beji and ROPA. set to perform. Admission is free.

If you get up early on Sunday, you can immerse yourself in the artistic practices of renowned choreographer Serge Aimé Coulibaly from 11 am. The Sunday Dancers series offers the opportunity to move the body together with international dancers

At Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, playwright Sivan Ben Yishai will engage in discussion with sociologist and loneliness researcher Janosch Schobin, marking the start of the Brave New Voices discussion series.

Afterwards, you have the choice: attend the first concert in the Relaxed With ... series with the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble at the Turbinenhalle Bochum. Ideal for those who prefer a casual concert atmosphere in a relaxed setting. In Essen, the Evangelical Church on Markt Katernberg will be a Ruhrtriennale venue for the first time. 124 Years of Reverb is the name of the organ concert programme by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, which can be enjoyed in its entirety over eight hours or in two-hour sections.

Whatever you prefer, get your tickets now to experience unique moments of the Ruhrtriennale 2025.