Rights for the Ruhr!

On the final day of our UTOPIE season, we’d like to start a conversation with you: about the river that connects us all here in this region and which also lends its name to our theatre: the Ruhr. It shapes our everyday lives, it’s part of the cityscape, it flows through industrial areas and seemingly untouched nature, invites us to swim, and serves as a transport route. In Mülheim, it is always there, accompanying us – but does it also have a voice? What would it say to us? Would it be content with its existence, or would it rather complain? Would it insist on its rights? And... does it even have rights? This afternoon, we would like to reflect together on what it would mean to constitute the Ruhr as a legal entity. Similar attempts are being made elsewhere: in Berlin, an initiative is currently campaigning to grant legal status to the Spree, and in Poland too there are such efforts for the beleaguered Oder.

Recognising the rights of nature could be an opportunity to rethink and reshape the relationship between humans, the economy and nature. With the support of experts in this field, we would like to invite you to join us in considering what we can do for the Ruhr, and how we can give it a voice. Perhaps this afternoon could mark the start of an initiative; perhaps people will come together for this cause. Join the discussion!

This event is part of the supporting programme.
Buy a ticket for the main programme and enjoy the supporting programme for free!