In the organizer's words:

On February 18, 2026 at 8 pm, host and presenter Arnulf Rating invites you to the 22nd Political Ash Wednesday of sharp tongues in the capital. With Abdul Kader Chahin, Frank Lüdecke, Anna Mateur, Mathias Richling and René Sydow, he will once again welcome a selection of quick-witted artists to celebrate this day of reckoning and new beginnings live. As in previous years, Political Ash Wednesday will take place in the stylish concert hall of the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin). The evening will be rocked by the glam-rock women's band Die Gabys. Tickets from 26 euros (including taxes, system and advance booking fee) are available at all known advance booking offices, ticket phone: 030 40 818 824, Online tickets can be booked via www.aschermittwoch-berlin.de

The political parties of the self-proclaimed center are threatened with disintegration. But once a year, they call for a day of reckoning. Political Ash Wednesday is the day when they all become populists. The party leaders are drawn to the electorate in the deepest provinces. Under the pretext of pouring the people pure wine, the beer flows freely. However, when viewed soberly, it is always true that what comes across as spicy is often stale and stale. There is a shortage of skilled workers - including political staff. And this is a global trend.

Political Ash Wednesday Berlin fills the vacuum in the capital on this day and is now a well-established tradition. Year after year, exquisite artists come together especially for this occasion. Previous participants include: Dieter Hildebrandt, Alfons, Hagen Rether, Rainald Grebe, Florian Schroeder, Lisa Fitz, Marc-Uwe Kling, Volker Pispers, Luise Kinseher, Wilfried Schmickler, Urban Priol, Georg Schramm and many others.

(Subject to change)

Price information:

Tickets 26 to 82 euros (including taxes, system and VVK fee, postage may be extra) Ticket phone: (030) 40 818 824 (local rate), tickets available at https://aschermittwoch-berlin.de/ and at the usual VVK outlets