One day with “Triennale Teens Talk”

Politics, art, and culture – those are things that have been part of my life for some time. I’m a full-time volunteer and activist, usually out and about in Berlin – but the Ruhr area? It just hits different. Every moment there kind of feels like coming home.

I’ve always been the kind of person who loves trying out new stuff, meeting interesting people, and opening my mind to different perspectives. In 2023, I first heard about the Junge Triennale projects and was immediately hooked. The only problem? The deadline had already passed – super frustrating! So I made sure to mark the date in my calendar for the next year. There was no way I was going to miss it again.

What got me hooked on Triennale Teens Talk right from the start? Definitely the exchange. Sure, as a youth reporter I’ve been to loads of cultural events. But this one? It was something else. The talks, the vibe, the energy – it all just really stuck with me. I’m still in touch with a bunch of the other people from the project. And honestly, I think our project made the whole festival experience even more exciting for the audience.

Triennale Teens Talk wasn’t just about experiencing culture – it was about actively shaping it. We tried out different creative formats to spark conversations with festival visitors – and it worked! Our boards didn’t just catch people’s eyes – they turned into popular photo spots, too.

In practice, that meant we came up with different questions and used them to spark conversations about the specific shows.

What really stuck with me were the talks we had with festival visitors. A lot of them have been coming to Ruhrtriennale for years and travel all the way to the Ruhr area just for it. Seeing that level of passion was amazing! The festival isn’t just a stage for extraordinary art – it’s also a meeting point for people who truly love culture.

My personal highlight? The chats after the shows. Of course, the opening performance was a real experience. But what stayed with me most were those spontaneous post-show discussions. Sometimes even people who weren’t part of the project would sit down with us, and we ended up having these talks about what we’d just seen.

So why should you join Triennale Teens Talk? Honestly? Because it’s 100 % worth it. Whether you’re already into art and culture or just getting started – Triennale Teens Talk is open to everyone. That’s what makes it so exciting. People from all kinds of backgrounds come together, share their thoughts, and discover new perspectives.

One thing’s for sure: I’d come back to Bochum for Triennale Teens Talk any time. The mix of art, dialogue, and community is just special.