Image: Deutsches Glasmalerei-Museum Linnich
A three-part exhibition project by artist Ernesto Marques is bringing together the Deutsches Glasmalerei-Museum Linnich, Burgenmuseum Nideggen and International Academy of Art Heimbach in a regional route focused on tolerance, democracy, freedom and historical memory. Titled ‘Kunstroute der Toleranz’, the project opened with the station ‘Zerbrechlichkeit’ at the glass museum in Linnich on 5 July 2026 and runs there until 28 February 2027.
The collaboration connects the three cultural institutions across the Düren district, with each venue assigned a distinct theme: ‘Zerbrechlichkeit’ (Fragility) in Linnich, ‘Würde’ (Dignity) at Burgenmuseum Nideggen and ‘Befreiung’ (Liberation) at the International Academy of Art Heimbach. The second station, ‘Würde’, is scheduled to open in Nideggen on 27 September 2026, followed by the opening of ‘Befreiung’ in Heimbach on 8 November 2026. All three stations then remain on view in parallel until Sunday 28 February 2027.
At the centre of the project are abstract human sculptures by Marques. The exhibition text identifies two recurring figures, ‘The Boy’ and ‘The Girl’, whose even distribution is presented as a visual emphasis on the equality of people regardless of origin or gender. The works’ colour scheme is also given a symbolic role: monochrome grey figures represent discrimination, mourning and isolation, while brightly coloured sculptures stand for democracy, dignity and diversity.
The project places those visual themes alongside remembrance of the National Socialist period and contemporary challenges to solidarity. It is being held under the patronage of Düren district administrator Dr Ralf Nolten. The organisers say other cultural venues in the district intend to support the route with accompanying activities. A retrospective and closing event is planned for March 2027 at the Düren district administration, with contributions from secondary schools in the district.
Marques is quoted in the museum’s announcement describing the role he assigns to art in the project: “It is important to learn from history and artists have the opportunity to make values such as democracy, mindfulness and tolerance public through their art, and that is what I try to do with my artistic expertise.” The project’s title incorporates the phrase ‘Nie wieder ist Jetzt!’—‘Never again is now!’—as part of its public appeal.
The first station is presented in the Deutsches Glasmalerei-Museum Linnich, which has been housed since 1997 in a former electoral grain mill dating from the 17th century. The building was converted into a modern, light-filled museum, described by the institution as the only museum in the state dedicated to flat-glass painting. Outside the museum stands an eight-metre-high ‘Stele der Toleranz’ (Stele of Tolerance), described in the announcement as the only structure of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia and connected to an international project under the patronage of the European Parliament.
