Exhibition: WE ARE PART OF CULTURE

The municipalities of the Achterhoek region and the cities of Bocholt and Borken have jointly developed a special exhibition with the aim of raising awareness for an inclusive society. As part of the exhibition, Achterhoek Pride is joining forces with Bocholt Pride on 23 August in Bocholt.

The exhibition "WE ARE PART OF CULTURE" shows how queer people have shaped European culture and society from antiquity to the 20th century. More than 40 icons from the worlds of art, literature, science and politics are presented through works of art. Well-known names such as Marlene Dietrich, Alan Turing and Freddie Mercury are part of the exhibition, with their queer identity playing a central role. The exhibition not only aims to make history visible, but also to contribute to acceptance and respect for diversity.

Exhibition venues

Gudrun Koppers, deputy mayor of Bocholt, Annette Bronsvoort, mayor of Oost Gelre and Elvira Schepers, city councillor in Winterswijk, opened the exhibition in the Oost-Achterhoek / Lichtenvoorde library (De Leest 2, 7131 LH Lichtenvoorde) on 24 June. In her welcoming address, Gudrun Koppers also emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation. She also emphasised how important it is for all people to be able to develop "the wings they were born with".

The exhibition can be seen in Lichtenvoorde until 6 July. It will then continue its tour through the Achterhoek region and the cities of Bocholt and Borken. From 18 to 24 August 2025, it will be shown in Bocholt in the LernWerk (Industriestraße 1, 46395 Bocholt). Christopher Street Day will also take place in Bocholt on 23 August.

An important step

"This project is the first cross-border collaboration between the municipalities of the Achterhoek region and the German municipality of Bocholt in the area of an inclusive society", according to the organising team, which also includes Thorsten Jansen, one of the chairmen of the association "Bocholt Pride e.V.". The German-Dutch team hopes that the exhibition will contribute to a better and more inclusive society for everyone.