Angels of Cultures

An interfaith commitment to peace, tolerance and love for one's neighbour

The "Angel of Cultures" is an art project to promote intercultural dialogue by artists Gregor Merten and Carmen Dietrich(www.engel-der-kulturen.de). In Bocholt, a so-called inlay was laid in the pavement on Benölkenplatz in November 2016. Since then, an interfaith prayer for peace has been held every year in November to renew the promise of peace made in 2016.

In the "Angel of Cultures" symbol, the signs of the three Abrahamic world religions represent all cultures and religions. They only emerge halfway out of the surrounding ring; the complete form only becomes visible through the viewer's inner perception. The basic geometric shapes recognisable in the signs - triangle, square and circle - also symbolise the diversity of all cultural manifestations.

Next session on 15 November 2026

On 15 November 2026, another interfaith, public prayer for peace will take place at Benölkenplatz in Bocholt. It will begin at 5 pm. Afterwards, all participants are invited to a get-together in the canteen of St-Georg-Gymnasium, where refreshments and warm drinks will be served.

During the joint prayer, the participants pledge to respect one another, regardless of their religion, and to work for peace in the town, so that harmonious coexistence in the local community can flourish. Their principles:

• We live in one world.
• We accept one another and give each other space to flourish.
• Humanity and respect for creation characterise the common ground formed by us all.
• We are connected to one another and will only shape the future together and peacefully.

"We would like to renew this pledge on 15 November at Benölkenplatz. All citizens who care about peace in our town, as well as worldwide, are invited", emphasises Ulrik Störzer from the Bocholt Family Education Centre. Störzer is organising the event together with Ute Gertz, pastoral officer at the Liebfrauen parish in Bocholt; Ansar Ahmad Arshad, imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat congregation in Bocholt; Rainer Heeke; and Bruno Wansing, the integration officer. Mayor Christian Mangen is expected to attend on behalf of the town of Bocholt. Maria Teriete will provide musical accompaniment for the prayer for peace on her guitar.

The event is supported by the Bocholt City Council's Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration."

"Following the prayer for peace, we warmly invite guests to a cosy get-together and a chance to chat over drinks and snacks in the canteen of the neighbouring St. Georg Gymnasium,"" adds Bruno Wansing, Integration Officer for the town of Bocholt.

Refreshments will be provided by the cultural associations Kulturverein Akdeniz-Aleviten Bocholt u. Umgebung e.V. and Umgebung, the German-Syrian Association (السوريون في بوخولت وماحولها ....Syrians in Bocholt), the Afghan Hazara German Community Bocholt e.V. (Zeyneb Mohammady), the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Bocholt and the German-Somali Aid and Development Association (Dshe Verein). - Ataf Chaudhry - Kanwal Ataf