It remains exciting in the last year of the anniversary in Constance
From 2014 to 2018, Constance celebrates the anniversary of the Council, which took place here 600 years ago. Among other things, the purpose of the council was to elect a new pope and thus end the Great Western Schism – a split in the Catholic Church. In the period before the Council, there were no fewer than three popes, all of whom wanted supremacy in the Catholic Church. On the 11th of November 1417, the new Pope Martin V was elected and the Council was terminated after three and a half years on 22.4.1418. Thus, 2018 is the last year of the anniversary in Constance with many interesting exhibitions and events and a grand finale on July 22 – the „Festival for Europe”.
Motto of the Council year 2018: Year of Culture
The year 2018 is dedicated to the knight and minnesinger Oswald von Wolkenstein, who was also politically active and acted in the service of King Sigismund during the Council. Von Wolkenstein was a gifted singer and poet, thus making a great contribution to the culture at the time of the Council. Since 2018 is the „Year of Culture”, the events in Constance this year revolve around the tension between Christian and secular literature and European cultural exchange. As part of the „Minne meets Poetry” project, the University of Constance and the University of Applied Sciences are presenting works by Oswald von Wolkenstein in the exhibition „(w)ortverliebt in Konstanz”. The exhibition runs from 1 March to 8 April 2018 in the TURM at the Kulturzentrum. „Minne meets Poetry” runs every day from 7 March to 11 March 2018 under different mottoes in the K9 Kulturzentrum.

Exhibitions for the Council year 2018
The goal of the anniversary is bridging the gap between the history of Constance and the present – and what fits in better with our current situation in Europe than the exchange of different cultures and religions? The museums in Constance present the events of the Council in their exhibitions: The Rosgarten Museum in the city centre displays the famous, illustrated chronicle of the Council of Ulrich Richental and offers thematic tours on request.
Further information can be found here.

The Hus House displays the life and work of the scholar and reformer Jan Hus, who was condemned and burned as a heretic during the time of the Council. Guided tours are also available here on request!
More information can be found here.
For the music lovers among us:
As part of the concert series „European Avant-garde around 1400” from 19th to 20th April 2018, there will be songs by Oswald von Wolkenstein and liturgical music in the minster.
The opera „La Juive” will be performed in the city centre from June 14th to July 9th, 2018. A unique experience of the opera, which plays in Constance in 1414 and thus can be performed here on original locations! It is about relations between Christians and Jews, who are punishable by death at this time … Excitement and amazement are guaranteed.
In addition, on June 29, 2018, the fourth and last Economic Council will take place under the motto „Model Region for Sustainable Economic Management”. There will be exciting talks and dialogues on topics of the future in the economy.
Further information can be found here.
More information about these and other exciting events and exhibitions in Council year 2018 can be found here.
For all who are interested in an exciting, modern work-up of a great historical event in a beautiful holiday city, there are many more highlights in 2018 – whether you participate in a theatrically staged city tour or the sculptures of the Council of Peter Lenk. In the year 2018, entertainment, relaxation and the creative flow of information in Constance will once again be provided for all ages.