News
New Hanseatic comic brings medieval Lübeck to life
The new comic book "Die Bergenfahrer", published by the Archaeology Department of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck in collaboration with Kilian Andersen Verlag, transports readers to medieval Lübeck. Set against the backdrop of the Hanseatic Day in 1381, the comic tells a story of friendship, loyalty and social change, which is based on historical events and the latest archaeological research findings.
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85 towns celebrated the International Hanseatic Day in Stargard
From 11 to 14 June, the Polish Hanseatic city of Stargard hosted the 46th International Hanseatic Day under the theme ‘Gates to New Possibilities’. Eighty-five cities from 12 European countries gathered in Stargard to celebrate the Hanseatic cultural heritage together with the city’s residents and more than 30,000 visitors.
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First Hansa Export Award presented in Stargard
Im Rahmen des Hanseatic Business Forums auf dem 46. Internationalen Hansetag in Stargard wurde am 12. Juni erstmalig der Hansa Export Award vergeben. Eine international besetzte Jury hatte unter allen Kandidaten zuvor die fünf Finalisten ausgewählt. Der Sieger wurde während des Forums durch eine Live-Abstimmung vom Publikum gekürt. Der Hansa Export Award rückt das Thema "Wirtschaft" wieder ins Zentrum des Hansebundes.
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THE HANSA at the Cultural Routes Training Academy
The 13th Training Academy took place from 2 to 5 June in Pécs (Hungary) and Osijek (Croatia), bringing together over 100 participants from 30 Council of Europe Cultural Routes. DIE HANSE was represented by Inger Harlevi and Stefanie Bischof. Under the theme ‘Shaping Trust and Diversity’, this cross-border event promoted intercultural exchange between the routes through a participant-centred programme.
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Photographic exhibition “A Journey through the Heritage of European Ports” in Laredo
On 19 May 2026, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Laredo opened the photographic exhibition “A Journey through the Heritage of European Ports” which links the cities and ports of the Hansa and highlights their international connections, at the Casa de Cantabria in Madrid. The exhibition was developed by the Spanish Hanseatic city of Laredo and is being shown as part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
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The finalists for the first Hansa Export Award have been announced!
As part of the Hanseatic Business Forum at the 46th International Hanseatic Day in Stargard, the Hansa Export Award will be presented for the first time this year. Each member city of the Union of Cities THE HANSA was able to nominate one company for the award. An international jury has now selected the five finalists, who will present their companies at the business forum.
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Annual Conference of the Hanseatic History Society streamed live
800 years ago, in 1226, Lübeck was granted the Imperial Charter of Freedom – a pivotal event in the history of the city and the Hanseatic League. This anniversary is more than just a historical retrospective: it invites us to reflect on power, autonomy and memory – themes that have shaped the Hanseatic League both then and now. The conference focuses on the question of how power was exercised, negotiated and narrated in the Hanseatic region.
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New Exhibition at European Hansemuseum: Quite Privileged!
To mark the 800th anniversary of Lübeck’s imperial freedom, the European Hanseatic Museum is hosting a special exhibition entitled “Quite Privileged! Lübeck and Imperial Freedom”, organised by the Archives of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.
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Museum Schwedenspeicher reopens its doors
Nach einem Umbau öffnet das Museum Schwedenspeicher in Stade am 1. Mai wieder seine Türen. Mit der Neueröffnung des Museums wird im ersten Stock des Gebäudes eine große Ausstellung zur Hansezeit präsentiert. Am Beispiel der Hansestadt Stade, die stellvertretend für viele andere mittelgroße Hansestädte des ausgehenden Mittelalters steht, wird die Geschichte der Hanse anschaulich dargestellt.
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Cultural Routes programme has launched newsletter
The Cultural Routes oft he Council of Europe programme has recently launched its new newsletter. It will be published every six weeks and feature news from the programme and from the Cultural Routes. This opens up opportunities for Hanseatic cities to promote news and events to a wider European audience.
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