News
Photographic exhibition “A Journey through the Heritage of European Ports” in Laredo
On 19 May 2026, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Laredo will open 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 Spanish city of Laredo has been a member of the international Union of Cities THE HANSA since 2024. Since joining, the city has been actively planning initiatives such as the photo exhibition shown here.
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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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Annual Conference of the Hanseatic History Society in Lübeck
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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youthHansa exchange with the EICR Director
At the end of January, Rui Gomes, Director of the Council of the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR), visited the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. In addition to exchanges with representatives of Cultural Routes in Germany, the youthHansa also had the opportunity to talk with Rui Gomes.
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New Hanseatic association founded in La Rochelle
La Rochelle is the only French city in the Union of Cities THE HANSA. In order to promote the Hanseatic heritage in France, advance the international cooperation with other cities, and facilitate encounters between young Europeans, the association HANSERA was recently established in La Rochelle.
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Cultural Routes meeting in Lübeck
On 28 January, a meeting of the German network of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe took place in Lübeck at the invitation of the Union of Cities THE HANSA. The agenda included the further development of cooperation between the routes and with the various programme levels.
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Merry Hanseatic Christmas!
Dear Hanseatic friends, At the end of this eventful year, we would like to pause for a moment and say thank you: thank you for your kind and trusting cooperation and for your commitment to the Union of Cities, which makes our Hanseatic community so special. We wish you a restful and enjoyable holiday season and all the best for a happy, healthy and hopefully more peaceful New Year!
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North German youthHansa ready to set sail
On 6 December, the final steps towards founding the North German Youth Hanseatic League were taken in Stade. Under the motto ‘Cast off for the first Hanseatic adventure’, committed young people met to celebrate the founding and set the course for the future. In spring 2026, the association will officially be established as an unregistered association.
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