Intercultural week under the motto "DAFÜR!"

The city of Bocholt invites you to Intercultural Week from 19 to 26 September. A total of 12 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.

Intercultural Week 2025 will open on 19 September with the World Children's Day Festival from 3 pm to 6 pm at St. Josef Gymnasium (Kapu). Young and old alike can look forward to a colourful stage programme and lots of great creative and exercise activities, which can be used free of charge.

On the same evening, an intercultural football tournament will take place for the third time in the new open-air hall on the TuB Bocholt grounds from 10 pm. Jusina e.V., Afghan Hazara Deutsche Gemeinschaft Bocholt e.V., the Turkish Parents' Association, TuB Bocholt, EWIBO, the police and the integration office have organised the tournament. "It's less about sporting success and more about playing sport together, having fun and engaging in dialogue", emphasises Bruno Wansing, integration officer for the city of Bocholt.

Culinary diversity and cultural experiences

On 20 September, the association "Tür an Tür e.V." together with the neighbourhood development in the Fildeken-Rosenberg district invites you to "Dishes, Dips and Dialogues".

The "Grillen der Nationen" will take place on 21 September on the grounds of the Akdeniz-Alevi cultural association (Westend 50). Associations such as the German-Chinese Society and the German-Syrian Association will be offering specialities from various countries; registration is required via the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre website.

On 24 September, several associations and organisations are organising the "Tea and Coffee Festival" in the Benölkenplatz canteen. From 6 pm, British tea, Syrian coffee, Eastern European compote and small treats will be available.

The Intercultural Week ends with the intercultural literature and music festival on 26 September at the Alte Molkerei cultural venue. Bocholt artists with and without international roots will present literature and music that will inspire the audience and celebrate the diversity of the city. Finger food and drinks will also be on offer.

Film screenings, a reading with music, a visit from presenter Mona Ameziane, local drinks and food, an intercultural breakfast and "Sign with your shadow" in the Bärendorfstraße neighbourhood meeting place round off the extensive IKW 2025 programme.

Organisation for the 50th anniversary

"This year, we have succeeded in creating a collaboration of associations and organisations that jointly support events", reports Bruno Wansing. For example, seven organisations are involved in the tea and coffee festival. In this way, intercultural dialogues are already created during the event planning phase.

"It is a colourful and varied offer that we have put together in several meetings with cultural associations and organisations in Bocholt", reports Caroline Blenker from the Caritas Association Bocholt. Together with the Integration Office of the City of Bocholt, the Family Education Centre Bocholt (FABI), the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre and other associations, schools and initiatives, the Caritas Association is the organiser and host of this Intercultural Week. This year, the motto of the event to mark the 50th anniversary of IKW is "FOR!".

This year's trio of patrons consists of Selma Zorlu, Yonca Bayluk-Zorlu and Björn Volmering. First City Councillor and Head of the Department of Culture and Sport Björn Volmering emphasises how important diversity and a strong democracy are for an open society: "With the Intercultural Week in Bocholt, we are calling for spirited commitment in order to grasp and tackle the upcoming challenges together. Rarely has solidarity been more important than right now - and nothing strengthens our society like our cohesion and mutual support".

The Intercultural Week organisation team includes Caroline Blenker (Caritas Association Bocholt), Ulrik Störzer (Family Education Centre Multigenerational House Bocholt), Fatma Boland (City of Bocholt, Adult Education Centre Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg) and Bruno Wansing (City of Bocholt, Integration Officer)

Background and further information on the Intercultural Week

Intercultural Weeks have been taking place in Germany at the end of September since 1975. Over 600 cities and municipalities now take part in this initiative. Bocholt has been a regular participant since 2014. Further information on the Intercultural Week can be found on the special page of the city of Bocholt at www.bocholt.de/interkulturellewoche.