20th Anniversary of the Marienmünster Cultural Foundation

20 Years Marienmünster Cultural Foundation — A Festival Weekend in the Abbey

If you want to discover the East Westphalian district of Höxter from a cultural perspective, you cannot miss the Marienmünster Abbey. The former Benedictine Abbey, founded in the 12th century and later transformed in the Baroque style, has been the seat of the Marienmünster Cultural Foundation since 2006 — a private foundation that utilizes the entire monastery complex as a venue for concerts, education, and events. From September 11 to 14, 2026, the foundation will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a four-day festival program.

Foundation Charter September 11, 2006 — Ceremonial Act September 11, 2026

The date is symbolically precise: The foundation charter was presented on September 11, 2006 — exactly 20 years later, on Friday, September 11, 2026, the Cultural Foundation will open its anniversary festival. This reference marks the significance of the day for the foundation itself. Four days of festivities, embedded within the foundation's annual program — from the opening evening on Friday to the closing celebration on Monday (September 14).

Marienmünster Abbey — A Baroque Venue

The Marienmünster Abbey was founded in 1128 as a Benedictine monastery and was one of the spiritual centers of East Westphalia for centuries. The current Baroque complex was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. After secularization in 1803 and a varied history of use, the Marienmünster Cultural Foundation acquired the monastery grounds in 2006. Today, the Abbey Church, Concert Hall, Convent Buildings, and Gardens form a versatile event venue. The acoustics of the Abbey Church are among the best in NRW — a key reason for the foundation's musical program focus.

20 Years of Programming — From Bach Night to Holiday Theater

Over two decades, the foundation has built up a diverse program: the annual Bach Night at the end of July (organ music, Bach cello suites, jazz interludes), the Bach Hikes in the summer (a combination of cycling/hiking tours and music at regional monasteries), the Holiday Theater in August (two theater workshop weeks for ages 6-21), the BLUEChurch concert series, monthly Sunday vespers in Corvey, seasonal concerts at Christmas and New Year's, guest performances by the Landestheater Detmold, and an annual Gregorian chant seminar in November.

The Anniversary Festival Program September 11-14, 2026

The exact program points for the anniversary weekend will be communicated in advance by the foundation on kulturstiftung-marienmuenster.de. Expect:

• Ceremonial Act on Friday evening, September 11 — exactly 20 years after the foundation charter
• Concerts and Readings on Saturday and Sunday — likely featuring long-time supporters of the foundation (Bach Night Ensemble, BLUEChurch artists)
• Festival Closing on Monday, September 14 — the last program offering before the autumn season begins

The anniversary utilizes the foundation's usual diverse program: classical music, sacred music, jazz, readings, lectures — and not least, the gastronomy of the Abtei-Klause as a convivial conclusion.

Marienmünster — The Location in the Höxter District

The small town of Marienmünster (around 5,000 inhabitants) in the Höxter district is located on the border with Lower Saxony, in the hilly eastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia. The abbey is the town's defining landmark and a tourist attraction — hiking trails through the Eggegebirge mountains and along the Weser river lead through a landscape that has only recently been developed. Those visiting the anniversary festival should plan for a long weekend — the region is worth more than just the four festival days at the abbey.