Fest der Kulturen Kloster Frenswegen

A Festival of Encounters with a Clear Mission

The Grafschaft Bentheim is a rural region bordering the Netherlands, with a growing diversity of immigrant communities, a long tradition of Dutch connections, and an active club landscape. The Fest der Kulturen makes this diversity visible once a year and creates a space where people from different cultures, religions, and generations can meet.

Four Program Strands

The program is divided into four strands: music and dance on the main stage, food and drinks from international kitchens, games and art activities for families, and information stands, each representing a cultural or socio-political focus. This mix ensures that every guest finds their own way to engage – whether through cooking and eating together, listening, participating, or conversing at a stand.

International Cuisine in the Monastery Courtyard

The culinary aspect of the festival is one of its strongest attractions. Specialties from the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, South and Southeast Asia, and the Dutch-German border region are offered at various stands. Many stands are run by volunteers, and the proceeds often go back into community projects.

Kloster Frenswegen as a Place of Encounter

Kloster Frenswegen has long been a place where different beliefs and lifestyles come together. As an ecumenical conference center with a historic park, it provides a setting that particularly supports the mission of the Fest der Kulturen.

Organizing Trio

Bernd Overhoff, Reiner Rohloff, and Ulli Hirndorf coordinate the festival together with the DRK Grafschaft Bentheim and a number of dedicated volunteers. Consistent support has made the festival a firm fixture in the region's calendar of encounters over the years.