Democracy needs and thrives on diversity. With this approach, GLOW UP brings people together to carry our democracy into the future together - creatively, informatively and through dialog.
GLOW UP CONCERT
18.10. | Kölner Philharmonie
REGGEA / AFROPOP - KLASSIC - STREETARTISTS - JAZZ - HIP-HOP - POETRY-SLAM – KÖLSCH ROCK
GLOW UP EVENTS
18. – 20.10. | various locations
WORKSHOPS - DEMOCRACY GAME - GUIDED TOURS - FILMS - READINGS & DISCUSSION
Who we are
GLOW UP already in its second year!
Last year, we launched “GLOW UP” in Cologne together with a team of colleagues who are connected to culture in different ways. Participants included the Cologne brass-pop band Querbeat, the WDR Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, the sign language poet Rafael-Evitan Grombelka and the jazz singer Simin Tande.
Why we keep going
As we are concerned that our basic democratic structure is increasingly under threat, we are convinced that, in view of the rise of right-wing extremism, there is a social need for an independent democratic offering that stimulates discourse.
GLOW UP CONCERT
18.10. | Kölner Philharmonie
REGGEA / AFROPOP - KLASSIC - STREETARTISTS - JAZZ - HIP-HOP - POETRY-SLAM – KÖLSCH ROCK
On October 18, 2024, we will once again be hosting an evening at the Kölner Philharmonie, where we will join forces with many artists from a wide range of genres to stand up for the preservation and active shaping of our democracy.
LINE-UP
Brings - Cologne rock band
Urbanatix with singer Svea Kirschmeier
Academy of the WDR Symphony Orchestra
Sina Kloke - Pianist
Becky Sikasa - Singer-Songwriter
Florian Weber - Jazz-pianist
Treesha - reggea/Afropop-singer
Shekib Mosadeq with Inés Fabig - artist and activist
Lukas Knoben - poetry slammer
Martin Hyun - author
ROCK SPOT - hip-hop dance crew of choreographer Sugar Rae
The evening will be hosted by Yara Hoffmann.
The Stammtischkämpfer*innen organization will also be given a stage at the concert to present themselves and their work. In their workshops (at GLOW UP on 19 and 20 October), they will demonstrate possible courses of action that will help us to counter right-wing and racist slogans such as those of the AfD and its supporters.
All participants in GLOW UP will be celebrating what makes a diverse society in words and music on a voluntary basis, sending a strong signal for a diverse democracy. Because democracy, just like culture, needs and lives from diversity!
We look forward to celebrating with you!
GLOW UP EVENTS
18. – 20.10.2024 | various locations
WORKSHOPS - DEMOCRACY GAME - GUIDED TOURS - FILMS - READINGS & DISCUSSION
In the week surrounding the concert from October 18 – 20, there will also be themed workshops, exhibitions, special offers for schoolchildren, readings, films and discussion panels. Our cooperation partners include the Museum Ludwig, the European Parliament's “Art in Democracy” project, the CORRECTIV research center, the “Aufstehen gegen Rassismus” initiative, YouMeCon, the Bonn Institute and the NS Documentation Center in Cologne.
18.10.2024
Art Chats
11:00 am | 18.10. at the Museum Ludwig
Sylvia Binger guides us through selected works from the Museum Ludwig collection and invites us to an interactive dialog about democratic values. The artworks shed light on how democracy is artistically scrutinized and encourage us to reflect on its protection and preservation.
Guided tour tickets:
Art Chats
2:00 pm | 18.10. at the Museum Ludwig
Sylvia Binger guides us through selected works from the Museum Ludwig collection and invites us to an interactive dialog about democratic values. The artworks shed light on how democracy is artistically scrutinized and encourage us to reflect on its protection and preservation.
Guided tour tickets:
Glow Up - Celebrate democracy!
8:00 pm | 18.10. in the Philharmonie
Concert tickets:
19.10.2024
Art Chats
12:00 pm | 19.10. at the Museum Ludwig
Sylvia Binger guides us through selected works from the Museum Ludwig collection and invites us to an interactive dialog about democratic values. The artworks shed light on how democracy is artistically scrutinized and encourage us to reflect on its protection and preservation.
Guided tour tickets:
Stammtischkämpfer*innen
12:00 pm | 19.10. at the COMEDIA Theater
In this workshop, you will learn how to take a clear and spontaneous stand against right-wing and racist slogans in everyday conversations. You will learn strategies that will help you to actively take a stand.
Workshop tickets:
Remote Island
2:00 pm | 19.10. at the NS-Dokumentationszentrum
Stranded on an island after a global apocalypse, the participants master exciting challenges and decision-making questions in small groups in order to organize their coexistence. In the reflection, the experiences are linked to everyday life and democratic participation opportunities.
Democracy game tickets:
CORRECTIV.facts forum
2:30 pm | 19.10. at the COMEDIA Theater
The CORRECTIV team will introduce participants to the CORRECTIV.facts forum and give an introduction to fact-checking: how everyone can recognise false claims and take action against them.
If you would like to meet the CORRECTIV.fact checkers in person, you have the chance to do so here.
further information under:
Workshop/Panel tickets:
Art Chats
3:00 pm | 19.10. at the Museum Ludwig
Sylvia Binger guides us through selected works from the Museum Ludwig collection and invites us to an interactive dialog about democratic values. The artworks shed light on how democracy is artistically scrutinized and encourage us to reflect on its protection and preservation.
Guided tour tickets:
„The Mind Game“
7:30 pm | 19.10. at the COMEDIA Theater
The personal documentary of a 14-year-old refugee from Afghanistan who recorded his dangerous journey to Europe with his mobile phone camera. The film offers authentic insights into the challenges and psychological pressure that young refugees face on the run and in Europe.
As a special highlight, the Afghan musician and activist Shekib Mosadeq will be a guest, who will talk about his own experience as a refugee. Shekib is a celebrated and controversial superstar in Afghanistan. Shekib has lived in Germany for years and supports the resistance in Afghanistan with his music.
Film - English with English subtitles
Conversation - German
Movie and Q&R tickets:
20.10.2024
Remote Island
2:00 pm | 20.10. at the NS Documentation Center
Stranded on an island after a global apocalypse, the participants master exciting challenges and decision-making questions in small groups in order to organize their coexistence. In the reflection, the experiences are linked to everyday life and democratic participation opportunities.
Democracy game tickets:
Stammtischkämpfer*innen
3:00 pm | 20.10. at the Basement
In this workshop, you will learn how to take a clear and spontaneous stand against right-wing and racist slogans in everyday conversations. You will learn strategies that will help you to actively take a stand.
Workshop tickets:
Reading
5:15 pm | 20.10. at the Basement
Reading “The King of Malta” with Alexander Farrugia (English)
Maltese author Alexander Farrugia reads from his novel “Ir-Re Borg” (The King of Malta), which has been nominated for the European Literature Prize 2024. In this satirical tale, grocer Mikiel Borg is transformed into a populist insurgent whose rise and fall reflect the weaknesses of Maltese politics.
Reading tickets:
Conversation
6:00 pm | 20.10. at the Basement
Reading “Niemand kann sagen, er hätte es nicht gewusst. Der AfD-Komplex und die Gefahr von Rechts.”
Investigative journalist Marcus Bensmann (CORRECTIV) talks to Joachim Frank (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger) about the AfD's radical plans. Bensmann's research uncovers the party's terrifying goals, from mass expulsions to the abolition of universal human rights.
Reading tickets:
Conversation
8:30 pm | 20.10. in the Kulturkirche Cologne
The search for the centre of society Stephan Anpalagan and Burak Yilmaz in conversation.
A conversation about the ‘we’ in ‘We are the people’ and the ‘you’ in ‘You are Germany’ and an evening about home, the centre of society and about the love felt by people who have been living in our country for years, decades and generations and yet cannot find a home. Together with Burak Yilmaz, the author reflects on home.
Reading tickets:
The program is constantly being expanded
For all GLOW UP events, you have the option of buying a ticket including a donation (e.g. 10 euros) instead of a normal ticket. This way you directly support the association “GLOW UP - Demokratie stärken e.V.i.G.” and thus us and our work.
ARTISTS
Treesha
Treesha, born in Nairobi, combines East African rhythms with global influences in her music. Known for her collaboration with Gentleman & The Evolution and her hit single “Rude Gyal Swing”, she conquered the German MTV Urban Charts. Her album “Love, Scars & Attitude” is about love and resilience.
Becky Sikasa
Becky Sikasa, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Cologne, creates lively off-pop songs full of color and soul. Her music is inspired by artists such as James Blake and Sylvan Esso. With her multi-faceted soundscape, she inspires audiences on international stages.
Brings
The legendary Cologne band Brings returns to the stage of the Kölner Philharmonie. For over 25 years, Peter and Stephan Brings, Kai Engel, Harry Alfter and Christian Blüm have been inspiring audiences with their unmistakable live shows and connecting generations through their music.
Florian Weber
Florian Weber, celebrated jazz pianist, effortlessly combines improvisation and composition in his works. Recognized with awards such as the ECHO Jazz and the Steinway Prize, he has played with greats such as Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker. His latest work “Imaginary Cycle” breaks genre boundaries.
Dr. Martin Hyun
Dr. Martin Hyun, the first player of Korean descent in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), combines sporting excellence with intercultural reflection. As the founder of Hockey is Diversity e.V., he is a passionate advocate for diversity in sport. In his books, he reflects on identity, integration and cultural differences.
ROCKSPOT
ROCKSPOT TANZ CREW, founded in 2019 by hip-hop dancer Reagan “Sugar Rae” Dikilu, promotes urban dance culture in Germany. With locations in Aachen and Cologne, ROCK SPOT creates space for creativity, movement and individual development, away from traditional dance schools.
Shekib Mosadeq
Shekib Mosadeq, an Afghan singer and songwriter, sings hauntingly in Farsi about love, hope, war and injustice. Together with Inés Fabig, who recites German translations, the duo combines poetry and music to promote solidarity and courage in the fight against oppression.
Sina Kloke
With performances in renowned venues such as the Elbphilharmonie and Carnegie Hall, Sina Kloke is one of the leading musicians of her generation. Her unconventional programs combine art and society in an innovative way and set a strong example for diversity.
Yara Hoffmann
Renowned journalist and presenter Yara Hoffmann brings her expertise and passion for social issues to Glow Up - Celebrating Democracy. Known for her work at SWR3, 1LIVE and ZDF, she now presents the MDR culture magazine “artour” and is committed to future issues, sustainability and New Work.
WDR Sinfonieorchester Akademie
Bläserquintett
Since 2014, the WDR Symphony Orchestra Academy has been supporting and training young musicians in their transition from studying music to starting their careers.
An important component of the orchestra academy is chamber music, which is rehearsed under the guidance of colleagues from the WDR Symphony Orchestra and performed in chamber concerts at the WDR Funkhaus.
Urbanatix
Explosive, dynamic, weightless - the Urbanatix parkour ensemble brings urban styles to the stage! They have been mastering obstacles on streets and rooftops worldwide since 2005. They are joined by musician Svea Kirschmeier, who adds her powerful voice to this breathtaking show.
Lukas Knoben
Lukas Knoben is a presenter, author and poetry slammer from Aachen. He has been travelling the cabaret stages of the German-speaking world since 2015. He has already taken to the stage in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. He has been honoured with various awards for his texts, which range from funny everyday stories to furious rap lyrics.
Thanks to
Gaffel Kölsch
Fritz Kola
NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne
Aufstehen gegen Rassismus
