We are thrilled to invite all students, both new and returning, to the official Kick-Off event for NEUE WÄNDE 2026 on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Studiobühne at Domplatz 23, Münster.

What is NEUE WÄNDE? NEUE WÄNDE is Germany’s largest festival of academic culture, where students, faculty, and alumni come together to present their creative projects. Whether you’re interested in music, theater, dance, literature, or even Science Slam, NEUE WÄNDE offers a unique platform to showcase your talents on the grand stages of Theater Münster. No matter your background, you can be part of this extraordinary cultural event!

Join us at the Kick-Off to learn how you can contribute to the festival and become part of the NEUE WÄNDE community. Let your creativity shine and take the first step towards being on stage in May 2026! We can’t wait to see you there! Please RSVP by emailing info@neue-waende.de.

We are excited to announce that the NEUE WÄNDE website is now available in English! Whether you are interested in past events, looking forward to the next festival in 2026, or just curious about our programs, you can now explore all the content in English. Visit us at www.neue-waende.de/en.

Starting your studies means finding your place at a university and usually also in a new city: NEW WALLS (NEUE WÄNDE in German) – in which you settle, which you redesign. Music, theatre, dance, and art are naturally part of this. And so much creativity needs to be seen and heard. This is why the idea was born in 2008 to give university culture in Münster its own festival. The City of Münster’s Culture Department has supported this initiative from the outset and the Münster Theatre has willingly opened its stages for five festivals since 2010:

Although preparations for the 2023 edition started late, it quickly became clear: Despite COVID-19, everyone is back! The festival was once again a great success with both old and new choirs, orchestras, bands, theater, and dance groups. The final applause after the “Tapetenwechsel” was not only for the artists on stage but also for Klaus Baumeister, Ortwin Lämke, and Walter Lindenbaum, who had shaped the festival since its early days and are now stepping down from “active service.” However, as mentors, they will continue to critically and creatively guide the festival.

Click here for the 2023 program and acts.

The memory of 2020 is also marked by the COVID-19 pandemic for NEUE WÄNDE. When news of lockdowns, social distancing, and hygiene rules came, neither the organizers nor the students rested. With NEUE WÄNDE – Plan B, the move to the digital space was achieved in no time. It became clear that Münster’s academic culture is connected to all areas of science and technology – even with the IT experts.

This would have been the 2020 program.
Click here for the 2020 Plan B program and acts.

Several pieces of good news came in during the festival preparations: The NEUE WÄNDE poster – in the same design since 2010 – was selected as one of the top 100 posters in the German-speaking world. Even more important was the recognition by the Bürgerstiftung Münster, which awarded the Förderverein Hochschulkultur Münster with the Citizen Award in 2015.

Click here for the 2017 program and acts.

NEUE WÄNDE was part of the application package with which the city of Münster successfully applied for the title “City of Science 2013,” an award by the Stifterverband for German Science. Since the hosting of the German Championship Science Slam 2013 final, with nearly 1,000 guests in attendance, Science Slam has become a regular part of the festival’s pre-program.

Click here for the 2013 program and acts.

The festival series began in 2010 as Münster’s contribution to Ruhr 2010 – European Capital of Culture. NEUE WÄNDE was then included as an external project in the official Capital of Culture program as part of the “National Heroes” initiative. The festival concept, focused on innovation, has proven to be highly sustainable in the following years, as evidenced not only by the large number of participating students – many of whom are returning participants – but also by the consistently high audience interest.

Click here for the 2010 program and acts

We look forward to the next festival in May 2026!

With the successful NEUE WÄNDE 2023 festival, Klaus Baumeister, Ortwin Lämke, and Walter Lindenbaum have stepped down from the festival management and as organizers. We would like to take this opportunity to once again express our heartfelt thanks for their many years of tireless dedication!

The festival has therefore been reorganized in recent months and is now preparing for the next edition of the festival in May 2026 with full energy under new leadership.

Now, in the summer of 2024, we are writing grant applications and talking with old and new allies. We are pleased that many familiar faces will be back in 2026, but we also look forward to many new encounters.

Everyone who is interested should mark the following dates in their calendars:

November 20, 2024 – Kick-off for the core team and for repeat participants
May 22, 2025 – 1st preparation meeting – Speed dating for potential participants to develop joint project ideas
July 16, 2025 – 2nd preparation meeting – Speed dating for potential participants to develop joint project ideas
November 19, 2025 – 3rd preparation meeting – Speed dating for potential participants to develop joint project ideas
January 21, 2026 – Final preparation meeting – Program finalization
April 1, 2026 – Start of ticket sales
May 8 to 10, 2026 – NEUE WÄNDE 2026!