Exhibition shows queer personalities in European cultural history

From 18 to 24 August 2025, LernWerk Bocholt will be the venue for the exhibition "We are part of culture", which shows how queer personalities have shaped European cultural history.

The travelling exhibition "We are part of culture" uses large-format banner columns to illustrate the influence queer people have had on art, literature, music and society. Among others, Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander the Great, Greta Garbo, Hans Christian Andersen and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky are presented. The bilingual presentation in German and English is barrier-free and is also aimed at an international audience.

The exhibition will be opened by Bocholt's deputy mayor Elisabeth Kroesen on Tuesday, 18 August at 5 pm. The evening will be accompanied by music from the young singer-songwriter Charlotte Kroll from the Bocholt Music School. Additional stage presence will be provided by Miss Epona Pandora, a drag queen from Bocholt, who will also be performing at the city's first Christopher Street Day on 23 August.

The exhibition is organised by Bocholt Pride e.V. in cooperation with Achterhoek Pride from the Netherlands and supported by the city of Bocholt.

"For us, this exhibition is more than just a collection of impressive biographies", says Thorsten Jansen, 1st Chairman of Bocholt Pride e.V.. "It is a statement: queer people have helped to shape culture and society from the very beginning, even if this has often been concealed or forgotten. With 'We are part of culture', we want to show that diversity is a natural part of our history", says Jansen. "We hope that many people will take this opportunity to discover new things and enter into dialogue", he says.