Mannheim Photo Festival Rebrands as Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie

The historic Fotofestival Mannheim-Ludwigshafen-Heidelberg, running from September 9 to November 5 across three German cities, has been renamed Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie. The rebranding follows major funding from the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation) and main sponsor BASF, one of the world's largest chemical companies. Since its debut in 2005, the festival has become one of Europe's most important photography events, attracting over 35,000 visitors in its last edition. The precursor was the Fototage Herten, which moved from the Ruhr to the Rhine-Neckar region in 2005. The biennial format features rotating curators invited to reflect on contemporary photography. Sabine Schirra, vice president of the Biennale Council, stated the aim is to generate enthusiasm and critical perspectives on photography among a broader audience, aspiring to become an international center for contemporary photography and a long-term identity for the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. Over 60 artists are participating, including Rosa Barba, Harun Farocki, Alfredo Jaar, Eva and Franco Mattes, and Wolfgang Tillmans. They will present works across seven institutions in the three cities under the guiding theme 'Farewell Photography,' featuring analog and digital images, museum installations, and urban interventions.