Miteinander Rheinkirmes exhibition in the Theatre Museum and a PopSong of its own

Düsseldorf, 24 June 2023

"Miteinander Rheinkirmes", the new exhibition at the Theatermuseum. And an own song, "Billiges Parfüm" written by the Pop Dup @gulliverdelarge. The call of the Rheinkirmes is heard far in the world.

Artwork by Faraz Baghaei

An over 700-year-old St. Sebastianus Schützenverein, the "Historic Procession" and a big firework

Düsseldorf, 24 June, 2023: Düsseldorf is not only a city of art and culture but above all of joie de vivre. The Düsseldorf Carnival is world-famous, but so is the Rheinkirmes. The big funfair city is set up for over a week in summer on the Oberkassel Rhine Marshes, covering an area of over 165,000 square metres. With the largest funfair on the Rhine, the over 700-year-old St. Sebastianus Schützenverein also celebrates the name day of its patron saint, St. Apollinaris (23 July). A special attraction is the "Historic Procession" on 16 July, which is one of the largest in Germany. The big funfair fireworks display then takes place on the last Friday of the funfair (21 July 2023).

Director Sascha Förster © City of Düsseldorf/Michael Gstettenbauer

All facets of society, family, love, diversity

Director Sascha Förster had read about the funfair in a Düsseldorf guidebook before taking up his job at the Stadtmuseum, and the exhibition was a dream come true for him. The partezipatory exhibition reflects all facets of society, family, love, diversity. The curators gathered together souvenirs such as plush toys, original "Schützenverein" jackets and their eagles with bullet holes. They framed the roasted almonds from Gagliardi, the almond roastery in the old town.

The call of the Rheinkirmes is heard far in the world

Did you know that a group of Americans on their tour of Europe, called Coastin through Europe Episode 14 on YouTube, went to Düsseldorf specifically to visit the Rheinkirmes. They knew that some of the biggest roller coasters in the world were there. You can now admire their YouTube film in the museum.

US format Coastin through Europe Episode 14 on YouTube

Our personal highlight was the concert by Pop Dup @gulliverdelarge

The museum director had the unusual idea of having his own song composed for the exhibition. The result was the beautiful love song "Billiges Parfüm" ("Cheap Perfume"), which had its premiere on Thursday evening. To accompany the romantic song, the singer gave a dance performance reminiscent of the traditional "Tanzmariechen", dance girls in Düsseldorf carnival.

Director and photographer Faraz Baghaei © City of Düsseldorf/Michael Gstettenbauer

Behind the scenes

The director and photographer Faraz Baghaei captured showmen, showwomen and seasonal staff in portraits. The pictures make visible the people without whom the merriment of the Kirmes would be unthinkable, but who mostly remain invisible.

Homage to Pink Monday

In the first exhibition room, visitors learn more about the Rhine River funfair as a point of reference for the gay scene and art. Club magazines and community magazines on funfair outings focus on the early phase of Pink Monday in the Schwarzwald-Christel, a legendary marquee on the funfair grounds.

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Together Rheinkirmes

Theatermuseum Düsseldorf, Jägerhofstraße 1, 40479 Düsseldorf

23 June 2023 to 25 February 2024

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