Essen, Germany – Manifesta 16 Ruhr will open on the summer solstice, 21 June 2026, transforming Germany’s post-industrial Ruhr Area into a dynamic stage for artistic and social exchange. Running until October 4, the nomadic biennial will activate former church buildings—structures once emblematic of post-war democracy—as catalysts for an inclusive cultural revival.
The conceptual framework, unveiled this week at a press conference in Essen, emerges from extensive research led by Creative Mediator Josep Bohigas, a Catalan urbanist and architect. His Urban Vision study interrogates the shifting role of ecclesiastical architecture in Germany, probing how these vacant spaces might be reanimated as hubs for creativity and communal dialogue.
The Ruhr, a region forged by coal and steel, endured heavy bombardment during the Second World War. Its rapid reconstruction introduced new urban models, with churches standing as both spiritual and civic anchors. Now, as congregations dwindle, Manifesta 16 asks: Can these structures become infrastructures for social cohesion?
Bohigas, alongside Manifesta Director Hedwig Fijen, presented initial findings that will guide the biennial’s trajectory. Their approach aligns with Manifesta’s ethos—using culture to spark civic engagement and participatory change.
Key to the pre-biennial process are Citizen Consultations, set for May and June 2025. These gatherings will invite local perspectives on how abandoned churches might be repurposed, ensuring community voices shape the final programme. Findings will be published in September 2025, feeding directly into the biennial’s mediation strategies.
Earlier this year, Manifesta 16 and TU Dortmund co-hosted the workshop This Is Not a Church, where architecture students and residents examined the urban and social fabric surrounding disused churches. Led by Bohigas and Professor Renée Tribble, the initiative underscored the potential of these spaces to foster neighbourhood resilience.
Berlin and Oslo-based studio NODE crafted Manifesta 16’s striking visual identity, drawing from the Ruhr’s industrial past. A custom typeface, inspired by milling techniques and transportation networks, bridges history and futurism—a fitting emblem for a biennial that redefines legacy through contemporary practice.
As preparations unfold, what new narratives can emerge when sacred spaces become sites of collective imagination? Manifesta 16 Ruhr invites the world to witness—and participate in—the answer.
For updates, follow Manifesta on social media handles or visit their official website. — Artlyst, 2025