Intercultural Week starts on 20 September

From 20 to 27 September, Bocholt invites you to Intercultural Week, which this year once again has the motto "New Spaces". Ten events offer the opportunity to get to know other cultures and develop new perspectives together. The programme has been put together by numerous local associations, schools and initiatives to promote intercultural dialogue.

"It is a colourful and diverse offer that we have put together in several meetings with cultural associations and organisations in Bocholt", explains Caroline Blenker from the Caritas Association Bocholt. Since 2014, Bocholt has regularly taken part in the Germany-wide initiative, which aims to bring people from different backgrounds together.

New spaces for thoughts and encounters

The motto "New Spaces" runs through the entire week and can be understood in different ways. Patron Rosina Giorgio explains: "'New spaces' in the heart, in the mind, but also literally new spaces in a building. The motto is an invitation to gain new ideas and impressions, to open, design, utilise or enter new spaces." This idea is reflected in many events that focus on new encounters and perspectives.

The World Children's Day festival will kick off on 20 September at St. Josef Grammar School. Another highlight of the first day is the intercultural football tournament, in which young people play in mixed teams in TuB Bocholt's new open-air hall. Bruno Wansing, integration officer for the city of Bocholt, explains: "Young people who may not have seen each other before will come together in a team, which will be just as colourful as Bocholt is."

Culinary diversity and cultural experiences

On Sunday, 22 September, the "Grillen der Nationen" on the Bocholter Aa will be an international event. Associations such as the German-Chinese Society and the German-Syrian Association will be offering specialities from different countries, while participants will have the opportunity to think outside the box - both literally and figuratively.

The tea and coffee festival on 25 September will also bring Bocholt's cultures together. "We have succeeded in getting several associations and organisations to work together on an event", says Wansing happily. On this evening, British tea, Syrian coffee and Eastern European compote come together - a perfect opportunity to get into conversation over a cup of tea or coffee.

Another highlight will take place on 21 September in the Fildeken-Rosenberg neighbourhood, when the association "Tür an Tür e.V.", together with the neighbourhood development and Jusina e.V., invites the whole family to a portrait painting session. Accompanied by coffee and cake, adults and children can get creative together and open up "new spaces" through art.

On the same evening, the Spanish-Italian-German evening in the Lernwerk event hall will offer a special experience. "This is really new territory for us because we have never used the hall for such a large event before", explains Fatma Boland from the VHS. The evening offers space for new encounters and impressions.

A festive finale at the LernWerk

The Intercultural Week ends with the intercultural literature and music festival on 27 September at LernWerk. Bocholt artists with and without international roots will present literature and music that will inspire the audience and celebrate the diversity of the city. "New spaces" are created not only on stage, but also in dialogue over finger food and drinks.

All information about the Intercultural Week can be found on the special page of the city of Bocholt at www.bocholt.de/interkulturellewoche