In 2006, the Ruhrtriennale’s Artistic Director at the time, Jürgen Flimm – who died recently – organised the planting of a »Pappelwald« (a copse of poplar trees) in front of the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. He had chosen an exploration of the Romantic, Baroque and Medieval periods as the artistic line of enquiry for his years at the Triennale. This copse of poplars was originally conceived as a Baroque garden, and was handed over to the public in his second year at a raucous party. Why choose poplars? The name poplar is derived from the Latin »populus«, because the rustle of these trees reminded the ancient Romans of the cheerful hubbub of crowds of people.

In 2006 the poplars were planted in the earth inside pots as they were not intended to be permanent – however, they are still there today. They have outgrown their pots and have become much taller, providing us with cooling shade and making the square in front of the Jahrhunderthalle a very special place. What you might hear in the rustle of their leaves, we will leave up to you. We will simply make sure that you will not have to suffer from hunger or thirst and provide you with vegetarian and regional delicacies in our Pappelwaldkantine. And maybe from time to time the ghost of Jürgen Flimm will rustle through the poplar leaves and cheerfully raise a glass to you