On February 18, 2026, at 8 PM, host and moderator 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 once again welcomes a selection of quick-witted artists to celebrate this day of reckoning and new beginnings live. As in previous years, the Political Ash Wednesday will take place in the stylish concert hall of the University of the Arts (UdK Berlin). The evening will be musically rocked by the glam rock female band Die Gabys. Tickets from 26 euros (including taxes, system and presale fees) are available at all known presale outlets, 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 by decay. But once a year, they blow the horn for the day of reckoning. The Political Ash Wednesday is their day when they all become populists. Then the leadership ranks of the parties are drawn to the voting public in the deepest provinces. Under the pretext of serving people genuine wine, the beer flows abundantly. Viewed soberly, it is always true: what comes sharply is often stale and flat. There is a shortage of skilled workers – including among political personnel. And this is a global trend.

The Political Ash Wednesday Berlin fills the vacuum in the capital on this day and has become a good tradition. Year after year, selected artists meet here, who come together especially for this occasion. So far, among others: 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.