Intercultural Week 2026 will once again be held under the slogan "FOR THIS!"

The town of Bocholt invites you to Intercultural Week from 18 to 27 September. A total of 14 events offer the opportunity to learn about other cultures and develop new perspectives together. The programme has been organised by numerous local clubs, schools and initiatives with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue.

Intercultural Week 2026 will kick off on 18 September with the World Children's Day celebrations from 3 pm to 6 pm at St Josef Gymnasium (Kapu). A colourful programme of stage performances and lots of fantastic creative and physical activities await young and old alike, all of which are free to take part in.

On the same evening, from 10 pm, an intercultural football tournament will take place for the fourth time in the new open-air hall on the grounds of TuB Bocholt. Jusina e.V., the Afghan Hazara German Community Bocholt e.V., the Turkish Parents' Association, TuB Bocholt, EWIBO, the Adult Education Centre (VHS), the police and the Integration Office have organised the tournament. ""It's less about sporting success and more about playing sport together, enjoying sport and fostering dialogue"," emphasises Bruno Wansing, Integration Officer for the City of Bocholt.

Culinary diversity and cultural experiences

The "Barbecue of Nations" will take place on 20 September on the grounds of the Akdeniz-Aleviten Cultural Association (Westend 50). The German-Chinese Society, the German-Syrian Association, the Ahmadiyya Community, DITIB, the Italian Cultural Association, the Afghan Hazara German Community and, for the first time, the German-Somali Aid and Development Association, as well as the Lebanese Cultural Association (currently being established), will be offering specialities from various countries; registration is required via the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre website (vhs.bocholt.de)

On 23 September, several associations and organisations are organising the "Tea and Coffee Festival" in the Benölkenplatz canteen. From 6 pm, British, Pakistani, Afghan and Turkish tea, Syrian coffee, Eastern European compote and small treats will be available. In addition, the Eritrean Cultural Association will roast coffee on site and brew it fresh. 

A highlight, taking place towards the end of the week, is the family festival at Rosenberg, organised primarily by the neighbourhood association "Tür an Tür e.V." with the help of various cultural associations. From 2 pm, guests can look forward to a colourful programme of activities - including hands-on sessions - both on and in front of the stage. Artists from Bocholt, with and without international roots, will present literature and music that will delight the audience and celebrate the city's diversity. Refreshments will also be available. 

Film screenings, a reading accompanied by music at Carpe Diem, exhibitions, a 'Lunchtime Café of Cultures', an intercultural breakfast and a "Blind Meza Tasting" at the Bärendorfstraße neighbourhood centre round off the extensive programme of the IKW 2026.

Collaboration in capital letters

""This year, we've managed to establish a collaboration between associations and organisations that are jointly hosting the events,"" reports Bruno Wansing. For example, as many as seven organisations are involved in the Tea and Coffee Festival. This fosters intercultural dialogue right from the event planning stage.

 "'It's a colourful and diverse programme that we've put together through several meetings with cultural associations and organisations in Bocholt,' reports Caroline Blenker from the Caritas Association in Bocholt. The Caritas Association, together with the City of Bocholt's Integration Office, the Bocholt Family Education Centre (FABI), the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre, and other associations, schools and initiatives, is the organiser and host of this Intercultural Week. This year, the event is once again being held under the motto "FOR THIS!".

This year's trio of patrons consists of Anastasiya Mironava, Karyna Borodii and Björn Volmering. First Deputy Mayor and Head of the Department for Culture and Sport, Björn Volmering, emphasises how important diversity and a strong democracy are for an open society: "With Intercultural Week in Bocholt, we are calling for wholehearted commitment so that we can understand and tackle the challenges ahead together. Solidarity has rarely been more important than it is right now - and nothing strengthens our society like our cohesion and mutual support".

The organising team for Intercultural Week includes Caroline Blenker (Caritasverband Bocholt), Ulrik Störzer (Bocholt Multi-Generational House Family Education Centre), Fatma Boland (City of Bocholt, Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre) and Bruno Wansing (City of Bocholt, Integration Officer)

Background and further information on Intercultural Week

Intercultural Weeks have been held in Germany at the end of September every year since 1975. More than 600 towns and local authorities now take part in this initiative. Bocholt has been a regular participant since 2014. Further information on Intercultural Week is available on the City of Bocholt's dedicated webpage atwww.bocholt.de/interkulturellewoche.