Ruhr International - Das Fest der Kulturen

The Ruhr International Festival - The Festival of Cultures will take place for the eighth time on June 13 and 14, 2026 at and in the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum. Ruhr International was created in 2012 as the successor festival to Kemnade International, which was founded over 50 years ago and was one of the most important cultural events for cultural diversity in the Ruhr region. Since then, the proven organizer community (City of Bochum, Bahnhof Langendreer and Bochumer Veranstaltungs- GmbH) has been organizing the Festival of Cultures and constantly developing it further together with regional players and communities. This will also be reflected this year in a varied and participatory cultural program. An intercultural program with a mix of live music, dance, street art and artistry will be presented on the stages and various off-locations. Social and cultural-political topics are addressed in discursive and artistic formats, thus encouraging reflection and promoting dialog. At Ruhr International, numerous artists, makers and actors from the region and around the world are given a stage. Together we set an example: AGAINST racism, war, discrimination and violence! FOR a culture and society of diversity!

International, national and regional artists such as Bia Ferreira, Banda Senderos, FARAVAZ, ENGIN, ATAQUE TROPICAL b2b MALFEITONA, RADIO JAGUAR, Tanzorchester Paschulke, Hüsnü Işık & Band, PINCHES PERROS, Mama Fattoush, Kontrast, Lenzolino, Sonor, MINOH, Ronak e.V. and A'JE will be performing on the Ruhr International indoor and outdoor stage.

Six regional groups, associations and artist collectives were invited to create their own space for art, culture, encounters and interactive participation at the newly developed locations "Am Wasserturm" and "Im Pappelwald" as well as on the market square - sponsored by Interkultur Ruhr / Regionalverband Ruhr. The programs by IFAK e.V., Cypher44 e.V., DESLOCAR, Dersimer Kultur- und Geschichtszentrum Bochum, Die Falken Bochum and Transnationales Ensemble Labsa, some of which involve numerous other artists, actors and actresses from the region, invite you to listen, understand, participate, network, discuss, but also to marvel, dance, linger and relax. Younger visitors to the festival can once again look forward to the colorful hands-on program "Fantastico".

Further information on Ruhr International - The Festival of Cultures at www.ruhr-international.de

Joint organizers: City of Bochum, Bahnhof Langendreer and Bochumer Veranstaltungs-GmbH