Tanz mit uns die Nelken Line (Dance the Nelken Line with Us)

11:00 Workshops, 13:00 Start Nelken Line
Start: Opernhaus, Kurt-Drees-Str. 4, Wuppertal
Destination: Pina Bausch Zentrum under construction, Bundesallee 260, Wuppertal

On 13 September 2026, it will finally happen: 1.000 people are invited to dance the Nelken Line by Pina Bausch with us in Wuppertal – perhaps the most famous line from one of Pina Bausch's pieces.

Lines are a recurring characteristic element in many of Pina Bausch's works. In the Nelken Line, the dancers move forward in a long line, telling the story of the changing seasons with just a few precise gestures. The Pina Bausch Foundation invites people of all ages worldwide to dance and film their very own Nelken Line.

We will be dancing in the middle of the city of Wuppertal on the B7, between the Opera House in Barmen and the former Schauspielhaus theatre in Elberfeld. In this way, the Nelken Line connects two important venues associated with the renowned artist. The action is intended to honour and celebrate the work of the city's most famous daughter. It aims to attract attention and move both participants and spectators equally. At the same time, the Nelken Line, danced by so many people, is also an impressive demonstration of peaceful coexistence.

Tanz mit uns die Nelken Line (Dance the Nelken Line with Us) is an initiative of the Pina Bausch Zentrum Förderverein e.V. (Friends of the Pina Bausch Centre). The date of 13 September 2026 was deliberately chosen: on 28 September, the city council will decide on the planned future Pina Bausch Zentrum. The planned performative procession is intended to speak for itself without any agitation, using the means of artistic performance to make a clear statement in favour of Pina Bausch and her artistic legacy.

Participation is straightforward: anyone who wishes to take part should send an informal email to info@anmeldung-nelkenline-wuppertal.de and will then receive further information. After registration, participants will be divided into groups. All participants will have the opportunity to discover and learn the movements of the Nelken Line in advance with professional dancers. In bootcamps – workshops held, for example, in a sports hall or school – on the morning of 13 September, you will have the chance to practise the easy-to-learn sequence of the Nelken Line at an assigned location along the route between the Opera House and the Playhouse, under the guidance of ensemble members of Tanztheater Wuppertal. The steps and hand movements of the Nelken Line consist of four precise gestures that embody spring, summer, autumn and winter, thus representing the cyclical ups and downs of life. After the short workshop, each group will proceed to their designated section of the route to gradually join the Nelken Line, which starts at 1:00 p.m. at the Opera House, and dance along part of the route. Spectators are warmly invited to watch us along the B7 and join in spontaneously. At the end, all participants will meet at the former Schauspielhaus theatre (future Pina Bausch Zentrum) for the grand finale.

Everyone can and should participate; there are no restrictions on participation, because the Nelken Line – like dance theatre itself – is intended to represent the diversity and vibrancy of the city and the world.

Participation at a glance:

• Prior registration by email to info@anmeldung-nelkenline-wuppertal.de is required.
• Date: 13 September 2026
• 11:00 a.m. One-hour workshops on the Nelken Line with dancers from Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch at various locations along the B7.
• 1:00 p.m. Start of the Nelken Line at the Opera House Barmen (Kurt-Drees-Str. 4, 42283 Wuppertal).
• 3:00 p.m. Grand finale at the former Schauspielhaus / future Pina Bausch Zentrum (Bundesallee 260, 42103 Wuppertal).

For enquiries about the initiative and the project, please contact:

Christian Günther
info@christian-guenther.de
Mobile +49 151 2532 5995

Eugen Neuloh
eugenneuloh@gmail.com

The organiser

Pina Bausch Zentrum Förderverein e. V.
Kurt-Drees-Straße 4
42283 Wuppertal
info@pinabauschzentrum-foerderverein.de

Chairman:
Helge Lindh, MdB
helge.lindh.wk@bundestag.de
Mobile +49 172 9533 969

Kindly supported by:
Pina Bausch Foundation
Gewerbeschulstraße 72
42289 Wuppertal

Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch
Kurt-Drees-Str. 4
42283 Wuppertal

We would like to thank Riedel Communications, Wuppertal, for their support.