The Ruhrfestspielhaus Recklinghausen, opened in 1965 to designs by Werner Ruhnau, is the central venue of the Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen, one of the oldest and most renowned theatre festivals in Europe. The festival was founded in 1946 as a gesture by the miners of Recklinghausen, who gave coal to Hamburg theatre makers after the Second World War for performances — culture in exchange for fuel was the founding idea. The main building with about 1,000 seats is a modernist icon of post-war architecture. During the festival season (May-June), international top productions guest; the house produces its own pieces only to a limited extent. Outside the festival season, the house is used for concerts, comedy, and major cultural events.
The Ruhrfestspiele emerged in 1946 from coal in exchange for culture — Recklinghausen miners gave fuel to Hamburg theatres, in exchange for which the stages travelled to the Ruhr region for performances.
At a glance
- Type
- Theatre
- Location
- Recklinghausen, Germany
- Address
- Otto-Burrmeister-Allee 1, 45657 Recklinghausen
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