LICHTER DER KULTUREN 2025

In the organizer's words:

The onset of winter with the darkest day of the year is also seen as the first ray of hope by the most diverse cultures and religions around the world: People move closer together, reflect on shared traditions, and make encounters attentive and loving. In the dark season, numerous festivals of light around the world emphasize communal solidarity and human interaction: the Christian Christmas, the Jewish Hanuka, the Thai Loy Krathong, the Chinese lantern festival Tangyuan, the Hindu Divali. We celebrate the Festival of Lights and Encounters in the Luther Church with musical representatives of the three great religions.

The Sound of ONE
The Sound of ONE project is a fascinating combination of music, literature and spirituality and highlights the diversity of Anatolian and Mesopotamian cultures. The interplay of traditional and modern elements not only honors the rich heritage of these regions, but also promotes an innovative cultural dialogue.
The inclusion of different ethnic and religious musical styles, such as Zazaic, Kurdish and Armenian songs, as well as religious music from Alevi, Sephardic and Yazidi traditions, offers a comprehensive perspective on the musical practices of these communities. The use of traditional instruments in combination with Western classical instruments and jazz creates a unique soundscape that reinforces both the cultural identity and emotional expression of the pieces.
The integration of poets such as Rumi, Ahmadi Khani and Fuzuli into the project deepens the understanding of the spiritual and mystical dimensions of music. Their works, which often deal with themes such as love, longing and the pursuit of the divine, can be an important source of inspiration for the musical arrangements and performances.

Instrumentation
Pauline Buss viola, violin / Radek Stawarz viola, violin / Veit Steinmann cello / Yavuz Duman trumpet, flugelhorn / Onur Cicin Kanun / Ruven Ruppik percussion / Thomas Sauerborn drums / Sidal Çakar back vocals / Zelal Cengizhan back vocals

more information about the program will follow

Price information:

Price VVK: 18,00 € : 18,00 € Price B.O.: 20,00 € reduced for students, pupils, KölnPass/basic security (proof at the Box Office): 15,00 €