Ahlen shows its colours — Festival of Cultures

Ahlen shows its colours 2026 — the democracy festival in the City Park

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, Ahlen's City Park will transform for the 17th time into a stage of diversity. The intercultural festival "Ahlen zeigt Flagge — Fest der Kulturen" brings together clubs, initiatives, migrant organizations, and citizens from all over Ahlen and the surrounding area under the motto "Ahlen United — in Diversity and Democracy". The organizer is Innosozial gGmbH, a sponsor of social and integration-promoting projects in the region.

Program

1 PM — Opening with Human Chain

The symbolic start is a human chain in front of the main stage: Visitors are invited to join a long line and express statements supporting the democratic festival motto. The chain is more than symbolism — it is the festival's hallmark and the community's response to social division and racism.

1:30 PM to 6 PM — Stage Program

Throughout the afternoon, the main stage will host up to 120 performances:

• Folklore groups from Turkey, Greece, Poland, Russia, Eritrea, Syria, Kurdistan, Vietnam
• Dance ensembles from West African, Latin American, and Eastern European traditions
• Music bands of all genres (World music, Reggae, Hip Hop, acoustic sets)
• Capoeira and acrobatics demonstrations
• Children's groups from schools, kindergartens, and migrant associations

Stands and Initiatives

40 to 95 exhibitors will be spread along the park paths:

Culinary

• Turkish, Syrian, Kurdish, Vietnamese, Eritrean, African, Latin American specialties
• Classics of the German summer festival (grill, fries, crêpes, ice cream)
• Tea and coffee ceremonies from various cultural circles

Information and Hands-on Stands

• Migrant and integration organizations with counseling services
• Religious communities (Christian churches, mosques, Jewish community)
• Sports clubs with interactive stations
• Social welfare organizations (Diakonie, Caritas, AWO, Innosozial)
• Democracy initiatives, Alliance against Racism, local politics

Children's Program

• Playground and craft stations
• Bouncy castles, face painting
• Interactive workshops (dance, drumming, painting)

Innosozial gGmbH — The Organizer

Innosozial gGmbH is a non-profit social and educational organization based in Ahlen. It operates counseling centers, integration projects, youth welfare services, and educational programs for migrants and socially disadvantaged groups. "Ahlen zeigt Flagge" is its most visible public event and has been organized annually on the last Sunday in June since 2010. Inquiries for exhibitors and stage performances should be directed to the contact persons at Innosozial ([email protected] and [email protected]).

Ahlen — the old mining town by the City Park

The city of Ahlen, with around 53,000 inhabitants, is located in the Warendorf district, on the eastern edge of the Münsterland region. Long characterized by hard coal mining (Zeche Westfalen, operational until 2000), it is now an industrial city with a high proportion of migrants — over a third of the population has a migration background. It is precisely this diversity that the Festival of Cultures celebrates annually in the spacious City Park (former colliery site, now a recreational area). The festival is also a political statement: Ahlen shows its colours against racism, for democracy, and for peaceful coexistence.