Anniversary in Leverkusen: 50 years of municipal reorganization celebrated!

Anniversary in Leverkusen: 50 years of municipal reorganization celebrated!

On January 8, 2025, the municipal reorganization of Leverkusen and Opladen marks the 50th anniversary. This anniversary is an important event in city history, but official celebrations are not planned. This is in contrast to the possibility that Opladen's citizens in memory of the historical changes do not want to celebrate in full. Nevertheless, a small celebration with an exhibition will be organized for the coming Monday, January 13th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event, which was launched by the AG Leverkusener Künstler and the city of Leverkusen, takes place in the gallery in the forum, a listed building. Here 14 artists show their work, all of whom have a connection to Leverkusen. The motifs vary from two paintings by the artist Klaus Wolf, which were created on the Rhine, to a collage of Ellen Loh-Bachmann, which represents the newland park.

art and history combined

One of the special works is a picture of Axel Weishaupt that shows a black smoke cloud over an industrial complex. The artist Guildo Horn is also represented, whose work represents him on the beer exchange. An impressive photo by Michael Bork shows the new and old pylon of the Rheinbrücken. The exhibition of musical performances by the Leverkusen musician Emily Otto is framed. Mayor Uwe Richrath has agreed to speak for the city if it allows his time.

In order to further support the art event, postcards were printed by several pictures of the exhibition, financed by the Sparkasse. These are given away during the event. Klaus Wolf, the chairman of the AG, emphasized that the feeling of separation between Leverkusen and Opladen is not an issue in the artist scene.

memory of a significant reform

The municipal reorganization, which was initiated by the state parliament 50 years ago, had a lasting impact on the region. The end of this comprehensive reform took place on January 1, 1975 and led to the creation of 396 municipalities and 31 circles in North Rhine-Westphalia. For Leverkusen in particular, this reform has created requirements and challenges to this day, which should be viewed as critically and constructively. Archiv-Nrw pointing out that the anniversary is an opportunity to read the measures at the time and their long-term consequences.

At short notice, the Opladen History Association from 1979 e.V. also plans an exhibition and other activities that deal with city history. In the context of the “City Dreams” project, a consideration of the cultural history of Rhenish and European cities is being prepared.

The year 2024 promises an extensive program with excursions, tours and lectures, which is carried out in cooperation with the Jülich History Association. Citizens are called up to participate in these historical activities and actively get involved in the preservation of city history. The Covid 19 pandemic has made adjustments in the program necessary, but the dialogue about the future of regional historical work remains a central concern.

The 50th anniversary of the municipal reorganization is therefore not only a look back at the past, but also a call to deal with one's own regional identity and history.