In times of democratic and social crises, the raus.reden initiative and the PopBoard NRW want to set an example of solidarity.
On January 16, 2026, we therefore invite you to the mini festival VOICES OF POP CULTURE at the Orangerie Theater.

How can pop culture contribute to social cohesion - and reach people from very different backgrounds?
What are the challenges and what can pop culture do better?
How do associations, musicians and cultural spaces in NRW work?

We talk about these and other questions with people from different areas of pop culture.

VOICES OF POP CULTURE - Program (preliminary schedule):

19:00
Talk in the style of raus.reden: honest, direct, filter-free. Guests are:

• Franziska Lammers from the Initiative Barrierefrei Feiern

• Jenny Thiele (musician and former keyboard player and singer at Fortuna Ehrenfeld)

• Samira Piesters from the Stapeltor in Duisburg

20:00 hrs
Speed dating with associations and initiatives from NRW that have a significant impact on the pop culture landscape. Participants include:

• Manoj Kurian Kallupurackal and Ashef Rahmatullah from Masala Movement

• Kolbhalle / Wir Selbst e.V.

8:45 pm
Concert by Omar Jatta. Omar's songs are about origin, attitude and life in the diaspora - critical, empowering and danceable at the same time.

Followed by a DJ set by AMSL and Piush, both part of the epiq collective from Cologne.

The evening will be hosted by Nada Assaad, journalist and raus.reden founder.

NOTE: If you can't afford a ticket but would like to come to our event, please contact Karla from PopBoard NRW(karla.koenig@popboard.nrw) and we'll find a solution!