Intercultural City Festival "Come Together" Castrop-Rauxel

Come Together Castrop-Rauxel — Diversity in the heart of the Ruhr

The intercultural city festival "Come Together" is one of the most important statements for diversity in the district of Recklinghausen. On Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the market square of Castrop-Rauxel will transform into an international stage. Associations, initiatives, and communities from all over the world will present their culture, their music, their dance, and their cuisine. Admission is free — and the motto "Everyone is welcome!" is truly lived here.

Stage Program — Five Hours of Diversity

Over the course of the afternoon, around 20 acts will perform on the main stage. The spectrum is impressively broad:

• Kurdish music with saz, bağlama, and traditional songs
• Palestinian songs, often with political backgrounds and great emotional depth
• Ukrainian choir with polyphonic folk songs
• Balkan dance groups with folkloric choreographies
• Italian pop acts, a fixture in the region
• Kickboxing demonstrations and other sporting contributions from migrant sports clubs

The program is organized by the city of Castrop-Rauxel together with local associations and the Sparkasse Vest Recklinghausen. The diversity of contributions reflects the multicultural reality of the city.

Culinary Delights

Around the stage, stalls will set up their specialties. You can eat your way around the world: Turkish (Köfte, Lahmacun, Baklava), Kurdish (Dolma, Kaftan cheese), Arabic (Falafel, Hummus, Maqluba), Balkan (Ćevapčići, Burek), Italian (Pizza slices, Cannoli), Ukrainian (Borscht, Vareniki), African (Jollof Rice, Plantain). The stalls are usually run by the communities themselves — which means: everything freshly prepared and authentic.

Information Stands and Encounters

Between the food stalls, information stands from associations, social initiatives, counseling centers, political parties, and the city are set up. Topics range from integration counseling and language courses to intercultural mentoring. The festival is therefore not only entertainment but also an active platform for encounters — many associations make contacts here, gain new members, and present their work.

Castrop-Rauxel — Industrial City with a History of Migration

Castrop-Rauxel, with around 75,000 inhabitants, is located in the north of the Ruhr area, in the district of Recklinghausen. Like many Ruhr cities, Castrop-Rauxel has a long history of migration: Polish miners came as early as the 19th century, followed by Italians and Turks later. Today, people from over 100 nations live in the city. "Come Together" makes this diversity visible and celebrated.

Market Square — The Heart of the City

The market square is located in the center of Castrop-Stadt, the oldest district. A large open square, easily accessible, with cafés and restaurants around it. In case of bad weather, the program can be partially moved to the neighboring Forum Castrop-Rauxel.