By the deadline at the end of November, almost 50 projects had applied to participate in the NEUE WÄNDE festival. We are overwhelmed by so much creativity and feel very fortunate as festival organisers. It will be colourful, classic and modern, with moments of reflection and performances full of fun – once again an impressive cross-section of campus culture in Münster. We are particularly delighted to welcome guests from Münster’s twin towns of Enschede, York, Kristiansand, Lublin and Vinnytzia – what better way to demonstrate solidarity across national borders than by celebrating and making music together.

Now it’s time for detailed planning. In order to make the most of the stage time on the three days of the festival, the set-up and dismantling of the individual acts must be precisely planned and coordinated. The projects are therefore currently dealing with a long list of preparatory questions: How many people will be on stage? Are props needed? Who needs microphones? What kind of lighting is desired? – all things that need to be carefully prepared in advance so that everything can run professionally in May.

The third and final preparatory meeting for the NEUE WÄNDE festival once again brought together students—those who have been working on projects since the summer and those who are looking to take to the stage with new ideas. This marked the end of the discovery phase for the Münster projects. Over the next few months, the focus will be on turning the ideas into stage-ready programmes. This is not just a matter of rehearsing music, lyrics and dance steps. To ensure that the lights come on at the right moment, the right music is played and the props are ready, the groups must provide detailed information. There will be no time for extensive rehearsals during the festival weekend, so it will be one dress rehearsal and then it’s straight into the deep end. But one thing is already certain: NEUE WÄNDE 2026 will offer a vibrant kaleidoscope across the arts.

The second preparatory meeting for NEUE WÄNDE 2026 was also full of creative energy. Shortly before the semester break, however, things became more concrete: Who already has a project in mind? Who is working with whom? Who is still looking for collaborators for their ideas? It became clear that a lot has developed since the meeting in May, but that there is still plenty of room for new ideas. The discussions were correspondingly lively – first in a large group on the studio stage and then in small groups over drinks and snacks. The key points of the program are slowly becoming apparent.

Cornelia Kupferschmid and her team are also in contact with those who were unable to attend the meetings in May or July. Sometimes it’s coffee dates, sometimes open appointments, sometimes a quick chat after performances – the festival is taking every opportunity to get the musicians, dancers, and theater people among Münster’s students excited about the NEUE WÄNDE festival.

On May 22 creatives from all artistic disciplines came together to get to know one another. Cornelia Kupferschmid opened the evening with a brief introduction to the concept and organisational framework of the NEUE WÄNDE 2026 festival. Then the creative work began: like speed dating, participants regrouped on red carpet dots and brainstormed ideas for what they could present together on stage. After showcasing their results, everyone had the chance to explore the project ideas further over drinks and snacks. Perhaps some of those ideas will appear on stage in May 2026. But the festival journey isn’t over: on July 16 there’s another opportunity to soak up the evening’s energy. Bring your openness to new experiences – anything goes.

Cornelia Kupferschmid and Eckhard Kluth present the NEUE WÄNDE 2026 concept in an interview with the Westfälische Nachrichten daily newspaper. Link to the interview [DE – paywall]: https://www.wn.de/muenster/vorbereitung-festival-hochkultur-cornelia-kupferschmid-3295325

Every year the Universitätsgesellschaft Münster e.V. celebrates the projects it supports with a symbolic cheque presentation. At the subsequent project showcase, Dr Paul-Josef Patt, Chairman of the association, highlighted the NEUE WÄNDE 2026 festival as a flagship project. We are delighted by this recognition and thank the Universitätsgesellschaft Münster e.V. for their trust.

NEUE WÄNDE 2026 festival is secured! Germany’s largest festival of campus culture enters its sixth round.

Since 2010, the NEUE WÄNDE festival has given the creative minds of Münster’s universities five major appearances on the stages of Theater Münster. Following the retirement of Klaus Baumeister, who came up with the idea, the Förderverein Hochschulkultur e.V. and the City of Münster’s Culture Department have found new festival directors in Cornelia Kupferschmid and Eckhard Kluth. Thanks to the funding commitments of the Sparkasse Münsterland Ost foundation, the city and university as well as the Universitätsgesellschaft Münster e.V., a good financial basis has also been laid for the sixth edition of the festival. There is still a lot to do before the opening on May 8, 2026, but the date should be marked in your diary. All information for those interested – on stage or in the audience – can be found on the festival website www.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 campus 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.