Schwindelfrei Festival Mannheim 2026

10 Years of Schwindelfrei — A Mannheim Trademark

The Schwindelfrei Festival has been a trademark of Mannheim's independent dance and theatre scene since 2016. Organized by Schwindelfrei e.V. and the City of Mannheim, the festival has become one of the most prominent platforms for interdisciplinary performance art in Southern Germany. In 2026, it celebrates its 10th edition — an anniversary marked by an extensive programme and a clear thematic focus.

Staying Here — The 2026 Motto

The 2026 festival motto is "Staying Here — Spaces and Practices of a New Togetherness". With this motto, curators Melanie Mohren and Bernhard Herbordt formulate a response to the crises of our time: instead of global mobility as the norm, instead of constant travel and change, the festival asks about the spaces and practices that enable us to stay — and about the artistic formats that can shape a new togetherness.

Six Residencies, Six Works

At the centre are six artistic residencies. Three of them are three-week residencies — giving artists time to develop a complete new piece. Three are seven-day residencies — more compact working phases with a clear goal. All six residency results will be presented during the festival. The exact names and projects will be announced in spring 2026.

Seven Venues in the City Centre

The festival uses seven venues in Mannheim's city centre:

• EinTanzHaus in the former city church — one of Germany's most important independent dance houses
• Felina Theater on Holzstraße — historic city theatre with a contemporary programme
• Theaterhaus G7 — independent theatre with an experimental programme
• zeitraumexit on Hafenstraße — performance space for crossover formats
• Community Art Center — community-oriented art format
• Galerie Maquis Mami Wata — Afro-diasporic art
• laboratorio17 — performance and research space

In addition, other Mannheim locations will be used depending on the programme item.

Artistic Positions with a Clear Stance

Curators Melanie Mohren and Bernhard Herbordt emphasize that they are looking for "artistic positions that view the world with a clear stance". Interdisciplinary works on contemporary social challenges — migration, climate, urban transformation, community, inclusion — form the backbone of the programme.

International Guest Performance and Accompanying Programme

In addition to the residency presentations, there will be an international guest performance, a growing exhibition (under construction over four days), networking workshops for artists from the independent scene, and dialogue formats for the audience. The festival is therefore not just a showcase, but also a platform and meeting place.