Wolf Biermann & Freunde

The singer-songwriter and poet Wolf Biermann will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2026. At the same time, it will be the 50th anniversary of the legendary Cologne concert in 1976, which led to Biermann's momentous expatriation and made him a key figure in German-German history.

During the GDR era, Wolf Biermann proved through his attitude and art that freedom must be taken: ‘Take your freedom, or it will never come!’ He quickly became famous through book and music publications that had to be smuggled secretly into the West. His popularity protected him from arrest. This autumn, Wolf Biermann will turn 90. His legendary Cologne concert in 1976 is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The global political situation is currently changing rapidly. Today, it is once again necessary to defend freedom, democracy and equal diversity against radical religious, racist and anti-Semitic thinking and actions. The times need combative role models like Wolf Biermann.

Alongside Biermann, fellow artists and friends will be appearing on stage this evening: former Federal President Joachim Gauck, who will deliver the keynote speech at this historic event; WDR icon Carmen Thomas and actor Burghart Klaußner, who attended the concert himself in 1976; as well as rapper Juse Ju, classical guitarist Nora Buschmann and jazz legends Günter Baby Sommer and Uli Gumpert. Pamela Biermann will host the evening.