FOUR KURDISH ARTISTS AT MANIFESTA 16 RUHR
The 16th edition of Manifesta, Europe’s nomadic contemporary art biennial, opened on June 21, 2026. Bringing together 107 participants from over 30 countries, the biennial features artists including Havin Al-Sîndy, Pınar Öğrenci, Mehtap Baydu, and Halil Altındere.
Manifesta 16 Ruhr has opened in Germany’s Ruhr region, spanning the cities of Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, and Bochum. The biennial presents works by 107 participants, including 67 newly commissioned projects that aim to transform 12 abandoned post-war church buildings into community-oriented shared spaces. Focusing on themes such as cultural diversity, migration, belonging, and social transformation, the exhibition seeks to make these issues visible through artistic practice. All venues are open to the public free of charge until October 4, 2026.
The Ruhr region has a deeply rooted history of migration, shaped particularly by the labor of guest workers from Turkey since the 1950s. The biennial not only provides a platform for this history but also actively engages with it through its selection of participants. In this context, Turkey stands out as one of the most strongly represented countries in the biennial.
From the opening night of Manifesta 16 Ruhr in Bochum
Photo © Manifesta 16 Ruhr / Silviu Guiman
FOUR ARTISTS, FOUR VENUES
The participating artists Havin Al-Sîndy, Pınar Öğrenci, Mehtap Baydu, and Halil Altındere represent different generations and distinct artistic practices. Having long been present on the international art scene with works that explore themes such as identity, memory, migration, gender, displacement, and cultural representation, these four artists can be experienced at different venues throughout Manifesta 16 Ruhr.
Pınar Öğrenci is exhibiting at St. Anna Church in Bochum; Mehtap Baydu at the Christ-König and Gethsemane Churches in Bochum; Halil Altındere at St. Gertrud in Essen; and Havin Al-Sîndy at St. Josef in Gelsenkirchen.
St. Anna Church, Bochum — Built in 1929, the church is one of the Bochum venues for Manifesta 16 Ruhr.
Photo © Manifesta 16 Ruhr / Claudia Dreysse
"The transformative potential of art within social dialogue and public life is once again brought to the forefront across the twelve churches of Manifesta 16 Ruhr."
ABOUT MANIFESTA 16 RUHR
Founded in Rotterdam in 1996, Manifesta is widely recognized as one of Europe’s most important contemporary art events. Unlike traditional biennials, it is not tied to a single city; instead, it takes place in a different European city or region every two years. Emerging in response to the political, social, and cultural transformations of post–Cold War Europe, the biennial stands out for its projects that place the relationship between art and society at their core.
The 16th edition in 2026 coincides with the biennial’s 30th anniversary and also marks the final edition under the leadership of its founding director, Hedwig Fijen. Held under the patronage of the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the biennial is realized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Regionalverband Ruhr.
ere is the translation, formatted cleanly for a brochure, website, or press release:
VISITOR INFORMATION
DATES: June 21 – October 4, 2026
CITIES: Bochum · Essen · Gelsenkirchen · Duisburg
HOURS: Tue.–Sun. 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Fri.–Sat. until 7:00 pm)
ADMISSION: Free, no ticket required
WEB: manifesta16.org
Photos: © Manifesta 16 Ruhr / Silviu Guiman (opening) · Claudia Dreysse (St. Anna) · Courtesy of manifesta16.org.
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