1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineGerman election 2025COP29 climate talks

Ruhrtriennale

The Ruhrtriennale is an annual arts and music festival that takes place over six weeks in the north-western Ruhr region of Germany.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Achille Mbembe Historiker und Philosoph aus Kamerun

Why Achille Mbembe was accused of anti-Semitism

The African thinker Achille Mbembe has been accused of anti-Semitism — and his case has triggered a larger debate.
CultureApril 30, 2020
Deutschland Homi K. Bhabha | Ruhrtriennale 2019

Homi K. Bhabha on the dignity of refugees

The Indian English scholar of post-colonialism and integration had food for thought at the Ruhrtriennale.
SocietySeptember 16, 2019
Ruhrtriennale director Stefanie Carp

A new start for Ruhrtriennale director Stefanie Carp

The Ruhrtriennale is back after 2018's controversy related to the band Young Fathers' support for the BDS movement.
CultureMarch 12, 2019
Scene of a dancer in brown coat and combat boots from 'The Head and The Load'

Ruhrtriennale back after sharp criticism

Heavily criticized in 2018, the Ruhrtriennale returns with the same head, Stefanie Carp. A look at the controversy.
CultureMarch 12, 20196 images
Christoph Marthaler

'Theater magician' Marthaler wins Ibsen Award

Director Christoph Marthaler, who currently heads Germany's Ruhrtriennale, has won the 2018 International Ibsen Award.
TheaterSeptember 14, 2018
Deutschland Ruhrtriennale 2018 | Szene aus der Produktion "The Head and The Load"

'Anti-Semitic' controversy blights German music festival

Flight und migration are important themes at this year's arts festival. But there have been rumblings behind the scenes.
ArtsAugust 8, 2018
Ruhr Triennale 2017 The Heads

Visions of the future propel Ruhrtriennale arts festival

The Ruhrtriennale is driven by questions of globalization and inquality as it offers visions for the future.
CultureAugust 18, 2017
Algerischer Schriftsteller Kamel Daoud

"Die Fremden" at the Ruhrtriennale

"The Strangers" - based on a novel by Kamel Daoud, the play criticizes colonial rule and religion.
September 12, 2016
DW Arts.21 Logo

Arts.21 - The Cultural Magazine | 10.09.2016

German films at the Venice Film Festival, confronting Germany's colonial past, and Iran's art scene
September 12, 2016
DITIB Merkez Mosque in Duisburg, Copyright: Imago/Reichwein

German theater project poses tough questions on faith

The project "Urban Prayers" at the Ruhrtriennale asks many questions, leaving it up to the viewers to find answers
August 16, 2016
Sheep on stage in "De Materie"

Musical power plant

3D paintings and dancing machines at the Ruhrtriennale arts fest in Germany's Ruhr Valley.
August 21, 2014
Venice, Copyright: DW

Culture calendar

Even in peak vacation season, Europe's culture scene is busier than ever in August.
July 25, 2014
Foto: Urbane Künste Ruhr Ruhrtriennale 2013 Bottrop

A smorgasbord of art: Ruhrtriennale 2013

The Ruhrtriennale is an annual smorgasbord of music, theater, visual arts, video, and dance.
August 28, 201310 images
Pictured here, the opening production of the Ruhrtriennale comprises of the first two parts of American composer John Cage's "Europeras."

Ruhrtriennale 2012

With a host of breathtaking performances, the festival is a scintillating adventure.
August 24, 2012
scene from the opera Gisela!

Prodigal son

Germany's Ruhr region is honoring its most distinguished musical son - composer Hans Werner Henze.
September 27, 2010
Christoph Schlingensief

Director dies

Contemporary theater and opera director Christoph Schlingensief has died from cancer at 49.
August 21, 2010
Christoph Schlingensief

Schlingensief in Africa

The theater director and cancer survivor wants to leave a legacy in Africa before time runs out.
May 6, 2009

Germany's Top Five

Take one long night, some jazzy days, a nearly new culture festival, and a very elegant museum. Wash it down with a fruity glass of new wine – and you’ve got this week’s German culture picks.
October 10, 2005

Off the Pitch, Into the Concert Hall

The world's first ever football oratorio, "The Depths of Space," is a 90-minute performance of two halves that sets out to capture the highs and lows, the agony and the ecstasy of ... soccer.
September 13, 2005