Service – Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I make sure that I get tickets for an event in good time?

It is quite simple: online, by telephone, at one of 2,500 advance tickets sales points or by using our order form in the brochure. This provides an overview, or you can choose to go directly to your ticket selection by using our performance calendar.

2. How do I get the brochure for the 2011 season?

On receipt of an order form we will post you a brochure.

3. How do I get to the performance venues?

We have produced directions for how to get to each of our performance venues, enabling you to find us easily and quickly. See the following:
Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, Gebläsehalle in the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, Pact Zollverein, Maschinenhaus Zeche Carl and Lichtburg in Essen, Maschinenhalle Zeche Zweckel in Gladbeck and Gasometer in Oberhausen.

4. What advantages are there in taking up the Ruhrtriennale’s hotel packages?

Our hotel package offers involve everything that you require for an unforgettable visit to the Ruhrtriennale: overnight accommodation and a ticket to the event of your choice, as well as other extras to choose from – all at an irresistible price. Treat yourself!

5. How can I receive regular information about the latest news from the Ruhrtriennale?

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about our activities and the artists in the festival beyond the festival season.

We also have our own Facebook page. This is a convenient way of receiving regular updates with the latest information and recommendations. Creating a Facebook profile is free and allows you to network with friends and acquaintances and also with companies and institutions. And we are pleased if you ‘like’ what the Ruhrtriennale does on Facebook and get in touch with us. Of course you can also view our page without creating your own profile.

If that’s not sufficiently up to the minute for you: the Ruhrtriennale is also on Twitter. Millions of people use Twitter to send the world the latest short messages of a maximum of 140 characters. The Ruhrtriennale also uses this channel first. This makes Twitter something like a personal news service, where you can decide for yourself who the people or companies are in whom you are interested.

Both Twitter and Facebook are excellent ways of passing on questions and observations of your own – we look forward to hearing from you!

6. How can I get involved with the Ruhrtriennale?

You can support the festival by becoming a member of our Friends Association – which also offers you many attractive advantages: advance information on the programme, preferential advance tickets, invitations to open dress rehearsals, and much much more. Curious? Further information can be found here.

7. Can I return tickets I have already paid for?

Unfortunately it is not possible to return or exchange tickets. Lost or damaged tickets cannot be replaced or reimbursed, including tickets that have been lost in the post. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.

8. If I arrive late for a performance, will I still be allowed in?

Latecomers can only be allowed into a performance at a point where it will not overly disrupt either the performance or other audience members. This means that in the case of performances of a particularly sensitive or delicate nature, it may not be possible to accommodate latecomers, or it may only be possible to allow latecomers in after the interval.

9. What reductions are there?

Booking early, or booking several tickets at once can enable you to qualify for a 10% discount.
There is a discount of 30% for students (up to the age of 26), those on military or community service, trainees and the unemployed on all available tickets. You will be asked to show proof of status.
You will find more information about our reductions here.

10. How did the Ruhrtriennale start?

Following the Emscher Park Internationale Bauaustellung (IBA), which highlighted the aesthetic aspect of buildings saved from dereliction, and in doing so suggested the value of industrial warehouses, shut-down collieries and power stations for culture, the idea of creating a decentralised art festival for the Ruhr region was born. For a detailed history of the Ruhrtriennale, please see here.

11. Are the former industrial performance spaces temperature controlled?

Most of the venues are equipped with heating. On particularly hot or cold days, however, it is possible that the temperature of the spaces cannot be controlled in the same way as in more traditional venues. In cases of extreme temperatures, it is advisable to equip yourself accordingly for your visit.

12. What does the name “Ruhrtriennale” actually mean?

The part of the name, ‘Ruhr’, refers to the region in which the festival takes place: the Ruhr region and its venues housed in former industrial complexes. “Triennale” indicates the length of time for which an artistic director directs the festival. Every three years a new artistic director is announced. By contrast with the usual use of the term ‘Triennale’ the festival does not only take place every three years – rather it is an annual festival, based on a three-year artistic cycle.

13. What else is there to do in the Ruhr region?

There is an enormous amount to discover in the area: from the singular monuments to the industrial complex that are to be found across the whole region, to hundreds of museums, theatres, concert halls and opera houses. The website Ruhrtourismus GmBH offers a comprehensive overview.

14. Performance sold out – what do I do?

Are you trying to buy tickets online or through the ticket hotline but the performance is sold out? Subscribe to our TicketServiceMail and we will inform you not only when additional tickets are released for sale but also about Last Minute offers for selected events as well as building works and closures on routes to the venues.

It is often worth turning up on the night of sold-out events. With a bit of luck there may be additional tickets on sale at short notice. Our colleagues at the evening box office will be happy to inform you about ticket availability.

15. What are Last Minute offers?

For the first time and subject to availability Last Minute tickets will be offered at specially reduced rates. Students and school students can buy tickets for 10 € from 30 minutes before the beginning of the performance. Information about left-over tickets at regular prices is also available via our TicketServiceHotline on telephone number: 0 209.1 67 17 75