Art installation "Poetry Machine" opens at the historic town hall

This week saw the opening of the interactive poetry machine on Bocholt's market square. The work of art was installed in the form of a cloud on a street lamp next to the historic town hall. German and Dutch poems from the region can be heard at the touch of a button.

The poetry machine is part of the art project "#artinprogress" by artist Karo Kollwitz and has already been installed in Weimar, Hamburg, Zurich and Helsinki. Now the project can also be seen and heard in Bocholt.

Cross-border art project

The cloud-shaped installation will initially remain on the market square for two months and will then be presented in Aalten from 4 August. Half of the recorded texts come from the Bocholt region, the other half from Aalten. All recorded contributions will be presented in their original language. In addition to experienced poets, pupils from the Clemens-Dülmer primary school also took part in the event with poems they had rhymed themselves.

Opening of the poetry machine

The project was opened in the presence of the deputy mayor of Bocholt, Gudrun Koppers, and the mayor of the Dutch municipality of Aalten, Anton Stapelkamp. "We Bocholters are proud of our proximity to the Netherlands. Cross-border co-operation is of great importance for our region", said a delighted Gudrun Koppers. Anton Stapelkamp also emphasised the welcome cooperation between Bocholt and Aalten and added: "It's nice to bring some art and poetry to the streets together".

Interactivity of the installation

The freelance artist Karo Kollwitz developed the project as a collaborative art project in which people make their thoughts, feelings and perspectives audible. She describes it as a "community project with people who grasp the world a little differently". The installation invites citizens to stop, listen and discover the linguistic diversity of the region.

Jule Wanders, Head of the Department of Culture and Education of the City of Bocholt, played a key role in organising the project. It is sponsored and supported by the Kultursekretariat Gütersloh, the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt and stadtwerker.

Further interactive events on the subject of poetry

Two further poetry events are planned in Bocholt in the coming months. The first Bocholt cultural walk will take place on 30 July 2026. Texts and ideas from Bocholt are being sought for this: Poems, short scenes, personal thoughts, memories, wishes or observations. Anything that moves the city can become part of the walk. The closing date for entries is 10 June 2026.

The (Ge)Dicht an die Nacht will take place again on 17 July 2026. Lyrical, personal, self-written texts by Bocholt residents, visitors and guests can be submitted for the event. A selection will then be read aloud by the performing actors. The closing date for submissions is 1 July 2026.

The text contributions for both events will be accepted by e-mail to info(at)stadtlandbuehne(dot)de