Digitelling: 50 Years of Gotland & Westphalia-Lippe

A room painted white with a grey floor. On the right-hand side, an elongated object hangs from the ceiling on a string. On the left-hand wall, the word ‘Resonanzen’ is written in large black letters, with the artists’ names listed below it.

50 years of the Gotland Scholarship

2026 marks a cause for celebration: for 50 years, the Gotland Scholarship has linked the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL, "Regional Council of Westphalia-Lippe") with the Swedish Region Gotland.

Every year, one artist is given the opportunity to live and work in the other region for a month. The exchange builds on the historical ties between Westphalia and Gotland, which date back to the time of the Hanseatic League. Over the decades, this has developed into a vibrant cultural partnership that fosters individual artistic development, facilitates dialogue and brings people together across borders.

Following on from the anniversary exhibition "Resonanzen – 50 Jahre künstlerischer Austausch Gotland - Westfalen", which took place at the Künstler*innenhaus Dortmund in the summer of 2026, this Digitelling showcases Swedish and German artists who have taken part in the exchange since 2016 and offers insights into the diversity of their artistic approaches.

Dr. Christian Schulze Pellengahr, Chair of the Committee for Culture, LWL

“For 50 years, the Westfalen-Lippe and Gotland artist exchange programme has brought the two regions together through the common language of art. These encounters give rise to new perspectives and inspiration that have an impact far beyond the borders of both regions.”

Oscar Lindster, Chair of the Committee for Culture and Leisure, Region Gotland

“We want to thank LWL for a very well-functioning cultural exchange. The importance of networking internationally and making new contacts is easier with digital channels. Working in another place afar provides a great opportunity for artistic development, as the Gotland scholarship holders testify."

Dr. Barbara Rüschoff-Parzinger, Director of Cultural Affairs, LWL

“New horizons, artistic development and personal encounters characterise this special partnership. For 50 years, it has been a source of inspiration, mutual solidarity and a vibrant cultural dialogue.”

Paola Ciliberto, Head of the Cultural department, Region Gotland

“Between the vibrant pulse of a big city and the quiet isolation of a Baltic Sea island, new perspectives, creative encounters and collaborations emerge. Via the artist exchange between Westphalia-Lippe and Gotland, our differences become a shared strength and distance a chance to bring us closer."