Solingen in the Cultural Spotlight: April 2026

Cultural Policy in Motion: Solingen April 2026

In Solingen, April 2026 has shown how actively and multifaceted cultural development is progressing. Numerous decision-making processes and planning efforts indicate that the city is not only strengthening its cultural identity but also charting new paths in cultural communication and support. In particular, the city library, the German Blades Museum, and the cultural management (to be renamed the "Culture Office") were in the spotlight.

City Library: Toward an Open Library

The Solingen City Library is planning a dramatic realignment of its opening hours. After extensive preparations and legal consultations, it aims to introduce a so-called "Open Library" by 2027, which would be open seven days a week – including Sundays. This would be a milestone in the library landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The legal basis for this is the "Library Strengthening Act" of 2019, which allows for Sunday openings. However, security measures such as video surveillance and security personnel are required – with annual personnel costs of approximately 10,600 euros and investment costs of 30,000 euros. Other cities such as Düsseldorf or Witten have already successfully implemented similar models, although challenges such as increased cleaning requirements or minor violations have also arisen.

A central goal of the inquiry is to prepare a motion for the extension of opening hours. Open issues remain, including the entry conditions for children under 16, the storage of video recordings, the assumption of follow-up costs, and the planned opening hours – whether year-round or only during the winter months.

Cultural Management becomes "Culture Office"

Another step toward greater transparency and clarity is the renaming of Solingen's Cultural Management to the "Culture Office." This move aims to communicate the city's structures more clearly to citizens and partners. At the same time, it is evident that the Culture Office is also actively providing funding for cultural projects – for example, the dance theater piece "Between the Ropes" or the theater project "Anna Plays in the Castle."

These projects are not only culturally significant but also historically relevant. The play "Anna Plays in the Castle," for instance, is a project on regional history that explores the relationship between Solingen and the English royal family. The planned venue is the knights' hall of Burg Castle.

Cooperation at the Art and Culture House (KuK)

Another focus was the cooperation between the Center for Persecuted Arts and the Solingen Art Museum. Both institutions share the location at Wuppertaler Straße 160 and closely collaborate on shaping the profile of the building. The goal is to strengthen the cultural impact of the site and develop new formats.

For example, the joint position paper "1 + 1 = 3. Perspectives on Cooperation Under One Roof" was positively acknowledged by the committee on March 20, 2026. Both museums share themes such as cultural education, democracy promotion, and social integration, and plan joint projects such as the "Solingen Biennale Exhibition Series" or the "Long Night" in Gräfrath.

Outlook: Culture as Urban Image

The developments of April 2026 show that Solingen is moving forward culturally. The city library will not only become more modern but also more accessible. Cultural management will become more transparent, and museums will strengthen their profiles through cooperation. Culture is understood not only as an offer but as part of the city's identity – and this is more of an advantage than ever in a time when cultural offerings are becoming increasingly important for urban life.