On a total of four dates, the LWL Museum of Natural History invites visitors to a ‘poetic summer evening’ in the museum garden, starting at 8 pm on each occasion. A combination of poetry, drama and live music brings the works of Westphalian writers back to life. Picnics are allowed: the museum asks visitors to bring their own blankets and food.
Almost forgotten Westphalian poets are given a second chance: for around two and a half hours, they are allowed to emerge from the afterlife and return to the places where they once worked – sent by the gods, who have finally yielded to the poets’ pleas. And so Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, Hermann Landois, Christian Dietrich Grabbe and Peter Hille return to earth – accompanied by live music featuring the cello and guitar.
As dusk falls, figures from another era appear: the poets wander through the ranks of the picnic-goers, sit down amongst the people and recite their works. Monologues and poems intertwine with the sound of the cello and guitar.
A special guest arrives from the future: a replicant from the year 2036 turns up unexpectedly and raises new questions with his accounts of social life in the coming decades. Both bewildering and fascinating, he seeks to bring the past and the future into dialogue. The performance ends as it began: as darkness falls, the poets disappear – accompanied by the replicant, who only reluctantly accepts his fate – back into the realms beyond.
Artistic
Ensemble: The literary roles are portrayed by Regine Andratschke, Markus von Hagen, Eckhard Ischebeck, Stefan Naszay and Tilman Rademacher. Former zoo director Jörg Adler also makes an appearance. Yoon Han on the cello and Michael Kolberg on guitar and sound effects provide the musical accompaniment. The concept, production and design are by Thomas Nufer.
Note on the weather:
In the event of bad weather, the event will unfortunately have to be cancelled.
Further dates:
15 August 2026
22 August 2026
23 August
2026 Tickets: available online