50 years of reorganization: Leverkusen and Opladen celebrate with art!

On January 8, 2025, the 50th anniversary of the municipal reorganization of Leverkusen and Opladen is celebrated. However, the official anniversary celebrations do not take place, and many Opladeners do not take part in the celebrations. For the coming Monday, January 13th, a small celebration is planned from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with an exhibition, which is organized by the AG Leverkusen artist and the city of Leverkusen.

The exhibition takes place in the gallery in the forum, a listed building. A total of 14 artists submitted pictures related to Leverkusen. The motifs on display include two paintings by Klaus Wolf, which were created on the Rhine, and a collage by Ellen Loh-Bachmann from Neuland Park. A picture of Axel Weishaupt shows a black smoke cloud over an industrial complex. Another painting by Guildo Horn shows the beer exchange, while a strongly revised photo of Michael Bork is the new and old pylons of the Rhine bridges. The exhibition is accompanied by the exhibition by the Leverkusen musician Emily Otto. Mayor Uwe Richrath may speak for the city if it fits in time. The AG also had postcards printed with illustrations of some exhibits that were financed and are to be distributed by the Sparkasse. Klaus Wolf, the chairman of the AG, emphasizes that the separation between Leverkusen and Opladen is not an issue in the artist scene.

other activities on city history

In addition, the Opladen History Association from 1979 e.V. is planning an exhibition and other activities on the city history as part of the 50th anniversary of the municipal reorganization. The “City Reviews” project deals with the cultural history of the Rhinese and European cities and includes a varied annual program 2024 with excursions, study trips, tours and lectures. Adjustments in the program are required due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to promote a dialogue about the future of regional historical work. An exhibition in the Villa Römer is also being planned, in cooperation with the Jülich History Association (JGV) for activities in 2024.

The “City Dreams” project also deals with the cultural history between the two world wars. An accompanying program for the double exhibition "Jülich and Leverkusen - city spaces between the wars" will be offered by the end of February 2024. The results of the cooperation with European partner cities are available online. The program also includes 2024 online formats for lecture evenings and plans study trips to Frankfurt am Main as well as Paderborn/Corvey. In May 2024, a workshop will take place for discussion about local and regional history work. Interested parties are invited to take part in the activities in 2024 and pass on the program. Information on the cooperation at the Opladen History Association can be requested.