Manifesta 16 Ruhr: Discover Gelsenkirchen on a special Open Walk
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Discover Manifesta 16 Ruhr on foot: Art, architecture, and community in Gelsenkirchen
On September 30, 2026, the German-speaking Open Walk of Manifesta 16 Ruhr invites you to a special discovery experience through Gelsenkirchen. The approximately 1.5-hour city tour starts at St. Bonifatius – Ferdane Satır Tea Garden and leads to Thomaskirche – Hava Güleç Living Room. Here, contemporary art, local history, and the cultural diversity of the Ruhr area combine to create an impressive tour.
From the Tea Garden to Thomaskirche
The guided walk begins at the former St. Bonifatius Church on Cranger Street. The post-war building, constructed in 1963 according to the plans of architect Ernst von Rudloff, features a prominent roof structure made of geometric triangular surfaces. As part of Manifesta 16 Ruhr, the deconsecrated church space is re-experienceable as an exhibition venue and meeting point.
At the Ferdane Satır Tea Garden, art, garden culture, and memory come together. The name pays tribute to Ferdane Satır, who lost her life in a racist arson attack in Duisburg-Wanheimerort in 1984. The artistic design makes societal history visible and simultaneously creates an open space for encounter and exchange.
Experience art in the Ruhr area up close
Along the route, insights into the exhibition venues and their immediate surroundings open up. Manifesta 16 Ruhr explores how vacant church buildings can become places of social life, community, and cultural exchange. The Open Walk conveys this idea directly on-site and makes architectural features as experienceable as the stories of the neighborhoods.
The goal of the tour is Thomaskirche – Hava Güleç Living Room. This creates a connection between various artistic venues in Gelsenkirchen. Participants experience contemporary art not in isolation in a museum but embedded in developed neighborhoods, sacred spaces, and urban everyday landscapes.
Guided discovery experience with cultural depth
The tour will take place in German and is aimed at anyone who wants to explore Gelsenkirchen, Manifesta 16 Ruhr, and the cultural heritage of the Ruhr area together. A Creative Mediator will accompany visitors through the exhibition contexts and explain historical, architectural, and societal connections.
Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended for the journey between venues. The starting point is accessible via a ramp; however, the bathrooms on-site are not wheelchair accessible. The event is free of charge, and no ticket is required for participation.
Conclusion: See Gelsenkirchen with new eyes
The Open Walk of Manifesta 16 Ruhr combines art tour, city stroll, and local history into an inspiring cultural enrichment. Those who want to discover unusual exhibition sites, modern architecture, and the vibrant neighborhood culture of the Ruhr area will experience an atmospheric tour with many new perspectives. Participation on September 30, 2026, is free of charge.
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