Now there's a ban on corner-building!

The daycares and schools are at their staffing limits, parents come with strange demands, children are going increasingly crazy, are overwhelmed, but at the same time are expected to make every decision for themselves. Is there still anything to laugh about?
Absolutely! The most famous (V)ERZIEHER in Germany demonstrates this once again in his third show "Baueckenverbot" nationwide.

Jan Preuß expresses what other educators often don't even dare to think. He shows why children, contrary to all theories, understand irony very well, how to effectively respond to parents, and just how absurd some rules in everyday pedagogy truly are.
At the same time, he poses serious questions: How many educators will really be left in 20 years? Where are we full of hope for creating good people while struggling with our own double standards? But no worries, here too the (V)ERZIEHER finds fitting and funny answers. With humor, this job can be endured much better.

Doors open at 7:30 PM

Admission one hour before the beginning

The little donkey Fridolino accidentally ends up at Cologne Central Station. He is a stranger and nobody understands his language. Bssst, … help is on the way. Tour guide fly Frieda from Friesenplatz takes him under her wing and shows him her beloved city. Does she also help him find his way home? Or does he perhaps not want to leave at all in the end?

A story of being foreign and friendship, longing and home. A musical journey of discovery for children and all who love Cologne.

Text/Music/Directing/Stage: Engel&Esel-Produktionen

Duration: approx. 55 min.

Performers:
Thandiwe Braun - Fridolino
Jenny Winkler - Frieda
Joachim Uerschels - Jo

Photo: Engel&Esel-Produktionen

Entrance from 14:15 Uhr

At the fan event for "Rush In," you will dive live into the explosive story of Lauren and Junior. Author Navessa Allen is digitally connected and talks about the BookTok hit while audiobook narrator Lily Bauer reads selected scenes. Even before the reading (starting at 7 PM), you can creatively embellish your books and perfectly tune into the evening. Perfect for everyone who loved "Lights Out" and wants to learn more about the new, dangerously passionate dynamic. The evening will be hosted by book blogger @jess.manora.

The event is unfortunately canceled.

Andrea Sawatzki on tour with her new novel Biarritz

Andrea Sawatzki, one of the most well-known German actresses, captivates not only on the screen but also as an author. With her new novel Biarritz, the SPIEGEL bestselling author presents a moving mother-daughter story that tells of conflict, reconciliation, and the search for closeness – with all the emotions that life writes.

For years, Emmi has been living in a nursing home. She has long since stopped speaking – and only communicates with her friend Marianne, who is also a resident of the home. Her daughter Hanna, on the other hand, seems hardly to notice Emmi; perhaps she even rejects her, but it is hard to say exactly. Is it due to the lack of affection from her daughter, or are there the inextricable entanglements of pain and guilt? In an act of mutual redemption, Hanna decides to take Marianne and her mother on one last big trip.

With Biarritz, Andrea Sawatzki impressively showcases her narrative talent. Following the success of Brunnenstraße, she again focuses on the subtle nuances of familial relationships – a novel full of intensity, warmth, and quiet irony. Her unique storytelling transforms the mundane into great literature, filled with heart and humanity.

Andrea Sawatzki will present Biarritz on an exclusive reading tour. In doing so, she not only provides insights into the book's genesis but also reads selected passages. With her unique stage presence and charismatic storytelling style, she makes each reading an unforgettable experience.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

Fete mit Kind und Kegel

Popular meeting point and dance for the whole family after the Jan-von-Werth parade!

Tickets: 
Adults 15 euros, Children 8 euros (all children who can walk)
Pre-sale from 10.01.2026 also at Der Andere Buchladen, Ubierring 42)

With carnival music and a mix of pop, disco, rock, and hits from various decades and around the globe. With DJ 

Snacks and delicious drinks will of course be available too!

A piece that humorously narrates the experiences of students and teachers at a conservatory.
It depicts the struggle of the students against the west-oriented principal, the love between a rich and a poor teenager, who must fight both with their families and with the principal, who sees the school as a business, as well as the love story of two retired teachers who meet again at the same school years later.

The play will be presented in Turkish with German subtitles.
Doors open: 20 minutes before the performance.

Author: Kandemir Konduk, Müjdat Gezen
Director: Esin Eraydin

Cast: Atilla Kolaç, Burçin Polat, Buse Çimen, Can Tutalar, Emir Kaan Dogan, Esra Akdut, Filiz Doganci, Irem Merken, Kayra Ünay, Maide Korkmaz, Mert Yigit, Murat Çavdar, Yesim Dogan

Production: Atatürk Kulturhaus e.V.
Photo / Poster design: Alper Inci

Entry at 6:25 PM

A piece that humorously tells the experiences of students and teachers at a conservatory.
It describes the struggle of the students against the western-oriented principal, the love between a rich and a poor youth, who must fight both with their families and with the principal, who views the school as a business, as well as the love story of two retired teachers who meet again at the same school years later.

The play will be performed in Turkish with German subtitles.
Doors open: 20 minutes before the start of the performance.

Author: Kandemir Konduk, Müjdat Gezen
Director: Esin Eraydin

Cast: Atilla Kolaç, Burçin Polat, Buse Çimen, Can Tutalar, Emir Kaan Dogan, Esra Akdut, Filiz Doganci, Irem Merken, Kayra Ünay, Maide Korkmaz, Mert Yigit, Murat Çavdar, Yesim Dogan

Production: Atatürk Kulturhaus e.V.
Photo / Poster design: Alper Inci

Entry at 20:25

JUPP SCHMITZ „IN CONCERT“
Ming herrlich Kölle: A tribute by and with Volker Hein, Johannes Fromm, and H.P. Katzenburg

The Senftöpfchen Theater in January 1991: the Cologne entertainer Jupp Schmitz gives his last concert here – just before his 90th birthday.
Now his unforgettable Krätzchen and his music return to this historic place: Jupp Schmitz. A boy from the Rhineland. A Cologne original. Trained concert pianist. Celebrated hit composer. Indestructible mood singer. A life for music, for the stage
and for “Ming herrlich Kölle”.

Johannes Fromm, Volker Hein, H.P. Katzenburg are musicians, actors, singers
and "customs experts". They have leafed through Jupp Schmitz's versatile song album and discovered some hits, some rarities (newly) as well.
And above all: genuine Cologne Krätzcher! Of course, you know “Es ist noch Suppe da!” or “Wer soll das bezahlen?”, surely also “Ich fahr mit meiner Lisa zum schiefen Turm nach Pisa” or “Es war im Zillertal ...” –
but do you know: “En minger Schwemmbotz sin de Motte ...” or “Uns Koh, die hät ene Ärm av ...”?
It is exactly these treasures that the revue “Jupp Schmitz in Concert” is dedicated to – alongside numerous others.

On his tombstone stands the immortal line “Am Aschermittwoch ist alles vorbei!” – but at the concert “Ming herrlich Kölle” everything starts all over again!

The ensemble:

Volker Hein, *1968
Actor, director, singer. Active in the Cologne “free” scene since 1989 (1988 - 1st engagement during acting training at the Volkstheater Millowitsch), 1995 to 2002 Artistic Director of the Horizont Theater, 2007 – 2015 teaching assignment at the Akademie för uns Kölsche Sproch: KölschAGs at Cologne primary schools. Since 2013 Qualified tour guide for KölnTourismus GmbH
[...]
Since 2005 Krätzchen duo “herrschmitz” with Johannes Fromm
2009 – 2020 ensemble member of the Kammeroper Köln (including 10 years in the role of “Prof. Higgins” in “My Fair Lady”. Since 2011 “Die Willi Ostermann Story” with H.P. Katzenburg among others, numerous performances in the Cologne Senftöpfchen Theater as well as guest performances throughout the Rhineland. 2014 to 2017 “Die Willi Ostermann Revue” with H.P. Katzenburg and Johannes Fromm (as well as Anne Schröder) - Kleines Theater Bad Godesberg and Landestheater Rheinland-Pfalz

H.P. Katzenburg, *1962
Musician, director. Studied musicology at the University of Cologne, freelance musician and theater educator. Since 1989 literary-musical revues and theater productions with Volker Hein
Numerous concerts and tours nationally and internationally.
[...]
Artistic director of “Theater KölnSüd”. Since 2011 “Die Willi Ostermann Story” with Volker Hein, among others, numerous performances in the Cologne Senftöpfchen Theater as well as guest performances throughout the Rhineland. 2014 to 2017 “Die Willi Ostermann Revue” with Volker Hein and Johannes Fromm (as well as Anne Schröder) - Kleines Theater Bad Godesberg and Landestheater Rheinland-Pfalz

Johannes Fromm, *1966
Musician, singer. Studied church music in Aachen, church musician, choir director, leading numerous musical projects.
[...]
Since 2005 Krätzchen duo “herrschmitz” with Volker Hein. Since 2012 ensemble member of “Cäcilia Wolkenburg”,
playing community in the Cologne Men's Singing Association (Divertissementchen). 2014 to 2017
“Die Willi Ostermann Revue” with Volker Hein and H.P. Katzenburg (as well as Anne Schröder) - Kleines Theater Bad Godesberg and Landestheater Rheinland-Pfalz

Admission from 7:30 PM

Your Silence is Loud is much more than a dance theater production – it is an intense experience that moves, touches, and connects. Under the direction of the internationally celebrated director and choreographer Sagí Amir Gros and in collaboration with the newly founded WDTanztheater, an evening full of intense images, powerful movements, and touching stories is created.

Doors open: 19:00

Admission: 7:00 PM

Admission one hour before the beginning

Soulful pop in German - does it fit into the little jar? We say: Definitely!
Because wherever Julian Adler rolls out his sound carpet, he creates a warm atmosphere and builds a connection with his listeners; whether in living rooms, city centers, on the biggest stages, or indeed in our most beautiful theater.

Over 1.5 million people have already been convinced by a viral video of the singer, when he surprised Hamburg passersby with his song "8 billion."
As in this contribution, the Köln resident has also brought other musicians on board for us.
Joining him are his long-time friends, Ornella Tobar and Sebastian Schlømer, who have played virtually all arenas in the country with various acts. Together with additional fellow musicians, the three want to bring an intimate, acoustically driven sound to the stage this evening, inspired by well-known unplugged formats. Under "melllo," they have already published plenty of feel-good videos on Instagram, building anticipation for a whole concert with the band, including strings.

We are convinced that the three artists will not remain a hidden gem for much longer, and we are all the more excited for the evening!

Photo/Source: Julian Adler

Doors open at 7:30 PM

Admission one hour before the beginning