Kulturabend Köln-Kattowitz

10th Cologne–Katowice Cultural Evening 2026

“Growing Together: 35 Years of Cologne–Katowice”

Cologne, September 2026 – The city partnership between Cologne and Katowice is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. To mark this occasion, the Association for the Promotion of the Cologne–Katowice City Partnership (Verein zur Förderung der Städtepartnerschaft Köln–Kattowitz e.V.) invites you to the 10th Cologne–Katowice Cultural Evening, which will take place on September 26, 2026, in the Forum of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum in Cologne.

Under the theme “Growing Together: 35 Years of Cologne–Katowice,” the event honors one of the oldest and most successful German-Polish city partnerships. The partnership was established on March 15, 1991, even before the signing of the German-Polish Neighborhood Treaty in June 1991, and is regarded as an early sign of understanding and reconciliation in Europe following the end of the Cold War.

This anniversary year also marks other significant European milestones: 25 years of partnership between North Rhine-Westphalia and the Silesian Voivodeship, as well as 25 years of the Regional Weimar Triangle, which strengthens cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia, Silesia, and the French region of Hauts-de-France. These anniversaries underscore the great importance of regional cooperation for a peaceful, united, and solidarity-based Europe.

Culture, Encounters, and European Dialogue

This cultural evening is taking place for the tenth time and has established itself as an integral part of the German-Polish cultural calendar. It brings together cultural diversity, personal encounters, and European perspectives, bringing the city partnership to life for citizens.

“For 35 years, Cologne and Katowice have been bound by friendship, mutual respect, and an intensive cultural exchange. We would like to celebrate this anniversary together with our guests and, at the same time, send a message of European solidarity,” explains the Association for the Promotion of the Cologne–Katowice City Partnership e.V.

Steffen Möller Opens the Cultural Evening

Steffen Möller was invited to kick off the cultural program. The actor, cabaret artist, and author is one of the best-known bridges between German and Polish culture. With his subtle humor, his longstanding connection to Poland, and his focus on the commonalities between the two societies, he embodies—like few others—active understanding across borders.

Musical Dialogue in the Spirit of the Blues

The second part of the evening is dedicated to music. Since Katowice will celebrate the “Year of the Blues” in 2026, a joint blues concert featuring musicians from Cologne and Katowice takes center stage in the program. The concert aims to highlight the unifying power of music and demonstrate how cultural exchange brings people together.

A European Perspective with Łukasz Kohut

For the first time, the cultural evening will include a European policy component. With Silesian Member of the European Parliament Łukasz Kohut, a committed advocate for regional interests at the European level will participate in the event. His work promoting cultural diversity, minority rights, and European cooperation underscores the importance of local and regional partnerships for the future of Europe.

At the same time, his participation marks the beginning of deeper cooperation with the association and opens up opportunities for further joint projects in a European context.

A Symbol of an Open Europe

With this cultural evening, the association aims to highlight the long-standing city partnership, strengthen cultural exchange between Cologne and Katowice, and foster new encounters between people from both cities. Furthermore, the event is intended to highlight the importance of municipal foreign relations and cross-border cooperation for peace, freedom, participation, and social cohesion.

The program includes welcoming remarks from representatives of politics and administration, a performance by Steffen Möller, the Cologne–Katowice musical dialogue project, and subsequent opportunities for guests to mingle and converse.

The cultural evening is aimed at residents of Cologne and the surrounding area, people with Polish and Silesian roots, those interested in culture, and anyone who would like to learn more about the Cologne–Katowice city partnership.

Event Details

10th Cologne–Katowice Cultural Evening
“Growing Together: 35 Years of Cologne–Katowice”
September 26, 2026
Forum of the Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum, Cologne

Organizer

Association for the Promotion of the Cologne–Katowice City Partnership e.V.

This cultural evening vividly demonstrates how a city partnership has grown into a vibrant European friendship over the course of three decades. Through culture, music, dialogue, and interaction, the event sends a strong message in support of an open, diverse, and united Europe.