In the annals of the Empire of Charlemagne, the "Westphalians" were mentioned in writing for the first time in 775. The region, whose coat of arms features the characteristic horse, has always been a historically significant area: From the Neanderthals through the ancient Battle of Varus to the Prussian province (in the 19th and early 20th centuries) and the integration into the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (after 1945), a wide historical arc is drawn. Today, Westphalia is home to over eight million people – nearly half of the population in NRW.
In the program that the LWL Cultural Foundation has put together for the anniversary, there are initially several exhibitions: For example, the one in the former Imperial Palace of Paderborn, which is under the patronage of the Federal President and will be opened on May 15. The exhibition "775 – Westphalia" (until March 1, 2026) looks back to the early Middle Ages and showcases recent finds from a cemetery in Schieder-Schwalenberg, which was only recently discovered. As for the art historical part, Hermann tom Ring's "Family Portrait of Count Rietberg" (1564) and an oil sketch by Peter Paul Rubens ("Adoration of the Shepherds", 1621/22) set highlights.
What share the architect Werner Ruhnau (1922-2015) has in the recent architectural history in Westphalia is what an exhibition of the Baukunstarchiv NRW asks, which starts on May 16 in Dortmund and then moves to Gelsenkirchen and Münster. Of course, historical events are also the focus – for example, "The Battle of Brunsberg" (Huxarium Garden Park Höxter, May 10 to mid-October), the involvement of Jewish female collaborators in the early women's movement ("Rally yourselves up!", Jewish Museum Westphalia, Dorsten, October 12 to April 12, 2026) or "Democratic Cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025" (from October 10 at the Sauerland Museum, spread across the towns of Arnsberg, Brilon, and Meschede).
Is there a typical Westphalian mentality? And what characterizes this state of mind? Moderator Martin Quilitz addresses this topic in the form of more than 70 discussion evenings as part of his stage show "Westphalia Worldwide – 1250 Years on Tour". Meanwhile, the Baddabäm!Ensemble from Münster will present a "Show for Parapolitical Evening Entertainment – GrandTourWestfalen" at four locations in the summer: fashion consumption, inheritance law, justice, and working life will be illuminated from a Westphalian perspective.
The podcaster Claudia Linzel from Rheda-Wiedenbrück, known for her interview series "The Lightness of Art," is broadcasting on the occasion of the anniversary with the podcast "Exactly! Westphalia!" She wants to talk to personalities from art, culture, politics, media, and science about the advantages of Westphalia – tied to aspects such as identity, origin, and belonging.
