Ruhrtriennale 2026: Abramovic, Acogny, De Keersmaeker, and Ivo Van Hove's Bowie Tribute
The Ruhrtriennale 2026 will run from August 20 to September 20 across five German cities: Bochum, Duisburg, Dortmund, Essen, and Mönchengladbach. Marina Abramovic is set to perform 'Balkan Erotic Epic', while choreographers Germaine Acogny and Teresa De Keersmaeker are also on the bill. Belgian theater director Ivo Van Hove, who worked with David Bowie on the musical 'Lazarus' shortly before Bowie's death, will present 'Rebel Rebel', a music theater piece built from Bowie's songs. The festival's program encompasses music theater, drama, dance, performance, music, and visual arts, with 'Rebel Rebel' thematically centered on love as resistance against violence.
Key facts
- Ruhrtriennale 2026 runs from August 20 to September 20.
- The festival is held in Bochum, Duisburg, Dortmund, Essen, and Mönchengladbach.
- Marina Abramovic will perform 'Balkan Erotic Epic'.
- Germaine Acogny and Teresa De Keersmaeker are participating choreographers.
- Ivo Van Hove will present 'Rebel Rebel', a music theater piece with David Bowie songs.
- Van Hove and Bowie collaborated on the musical 'Lazarus' before Bowie's death.
- The festival covers music theater, drama, dance, performance, music, and visual arts.
- 'Rebel Rebel' explores love as resistance against violence.
Entities
Artists
- Germaine Acogny
- Teresa De Keersmaeker
- Marina Abramovic
- Ivo Van Hove
- David Bowie
- Alexandra Grönwoldt
- Thorsten Nagelschmidt
Institutions
- Ruhrtriennale
- Kampnagel
- Harbour Front Literaturfestival
Locations
- Bochum
- Duisburg
- Dortmund
- Essen
- Mönchengladbach
- Germany