Grand Snail Tour: Appreciate in Dortmund

Big news for the Ruhr region: the Grand Snail Tour by Urbane Künste Ruhr is rolling through our region and will of course be stopping off in Dortmund - and not just anywhere, but right in the middle of the Nordmarkt. Why is this so special? Quite simply: right in the heart of the Nordstadt district, there will be celebrations, discussions, listening and dancing - for three days! And all under one very important motto: Appreciate.

Because this tour stop is more than just an art festival: it is part of the big idea of creating a memorial for so-called guest workers - and not silent and stony, but loud, lively and in the middle of the neighborhood. Together with the Denkmal für Gastarbeiter:innen project, an initiative of the city of Dortmund, the culture of remembrance is being rethought here: interactive, open to all and a little rebellious.

🐌 What is the Grand Snail Tour?

Perhaps you've seen the fancy trailer before: The Grand Snail will be creeping through various cities in the Ruhr region until 2027 - always in places where art and society are supposed to meet. The trailer is a stage, exhibition space and action center all in one. Each stop will be designed together with artists, local initiatives and you on site.

It's about who is seen and who remains invisible, who speaks and who prefers to listen. The snail turns art into a conversation starter - in the middle of the street, on market squares, in front of snack bars, in parks. In other words, exactly where real life takes place.

🎉 Dortmund's stop: three days of festival for everyone

But now to the most important thing: Appreciate in Dortmund! From July 3 to 5, the Nordmarkt will become festival headquarters. Starting at 3:30 p.m. every day: art actions, performances, music, theater, workshops, talks - all outside, all free, all to participate in.

One of the eye-catchers: the newly designed trailer by artist Jordi Colomer, created together with participants in a mapping workshop. So there's not only art to look at, but also to participate in and help shape.

Also at the start: Rebecca Racine Ramershoven and Lütfiye Güzel, who will be presenting their new projects. Havîn Al-Sîndy makes robots dance with young people (no joke!) and Iden Sungyoung Kim invites you to a Korean tea ceremony - a tribute to the Korean guest workers in the 60s and 70s.

The choristers from the Migrant Women's Association under the direction of Kemal Dinç will provide the soundtrack and DJ ÖZ and Tutku Kaplan will be spinning on Saturday evening. In between, there will be theater by Nail Doğan, talks with the Kiosk of Solidarity initiative and the KOBER counseling project, literature from the Taranta Babu book table - and, and, and. Even sports fans will get their money's worth: Cem A.'s Crit Club is the place to see who has the hardest punch (only sporting, of course!).

🗣️ Art meets kiosk, debate meets DJ set

Sounds like a wild mix? It is - and that's exactly what makes the Grand Snail Tour so special. It takes art out of the museums and onto the streets, where the stories, memories and dreams of the city have long been at home.

With Wertschätzen, the city of Dortmund wants to build a monument - but Urbane Künste Ruhr shows that it's not just about a statue. It's about coming together, listening, celebrating and making it clear: We have all shaped the Ruhr region. Then, today and tomorrow.

🚀 So, pack your friends, bring your family - and come around!

When: July 3-5, daily from 3:30 p.m.
Where? Nordmarkt, 44145 Dortmund

No ticket required, no registration - just turn up and become part of the snail movement. Dortmund can do art. Dortmund can remember. Dortmund can togetherness. And you're right in the middle of it!