LeCAKE meets Gelsenkirshen
Gelsenkirchen Closes the LeCake Train Project on a High Note
From September 27 to October 2, 2024, the city of Gelsenkirchen lived to the rhythm of art and ecology. The Consol Theater hosted the final stage of the European LeCake Train project, marking the conclusion of Chapter 4, “Artistic Skills for Ecology” (WP5). This final gathering highlighted the power of cultural creation to bring people together around the challenges of ecological transition.
For an entire week, 21 participants from the eight partner organizations, joined by artists, young ambassadors, and local audiences, took part in workshops, visits, and performances. Each day explored a different facet of sustainable cultural practices: reuse of materials, sustainable cohabitation projects, exhibitions dedicated to the oceans, and visits to rehabilitated former mining sites.
A Highlight at the Wissenschaftspark
The peak moment of the workshop took place at the Wissenschaftspark — a vast building set on a former steelmaking site and a symbol of the city’s industrial revitalization. On October 1, it hosted for the first time the public presentation of artistic creations resulting from the research carried out throughout the project.
The partners unveiled a series of works exploring the connections between art and ecology:
- LeCake Ceremony by La Transplanisphère and Consol Theater
- Hot and Cold by Teatro Rigodon
- The Last Drop by Ex Quorum
- Environmental Justice Fairytale by Pro Progressione
- Colors of Waiting by Ohi Pezoume
- Perturbatio by Le Sas and The Shift Project
From interactive performances to immersive installations, each piece approached contemporary environmental challenges in its own way, offering the public a thoughtful and engaging experience.
A Week Filled with Discoveries and Exchanges
The event began on Friday, September 27, with the participants’ arrival and an introduction to the local industrial heritage, including a tour of the Consol site and the creative district of Ückendorf. The following days combined meetings, collaborative workshops, cultural visits — such as the Gasometer Water exhibition in Oberhausen — and preparation of the artworks.
Sunday and Monday were devoted to rehearsals and setting up the artistic projects at the Wissenschaftspark. On Tuesday, October 1, the opening to the public was a highlight: residents, school groups, and professionals had the opportunity to meet and exchange directly with the artists. In the evening, the official reception hosted by the Deputy Mayor underscored the importance of the event for Gelsenkirchen’s cultural influence.
The week concluded on Wednesday, October 2, with the performance of Liebe at the Consol Theater, followed by a collective reflection and closing session.
An Artistic and Ecological Legacy
Beyond the works presented, the week strengthened bonds between European partners, affirming the role of art as a driver for awareness and action toward sustainability. The LeCake Train thus ended on a note of enthusiasm and commitment, leaving Gelsenkirchen — and all participants — with strong memories of exchange, cooperation, and creativity in the service of ecological transition.
