Wolf Biermann & Freunde - „Warte nicht auf beßre Zeiten – Die Jubiläumskonzerte zum 90. Geburtstag“
11/20/2026
at 8:00 PM
/ Leipzig
Warte nicht auf beßre Zeiten!
Wolf Biermann & Freunde - The concerts for the 90th birthday
The songwriter and poet Wolf Biermann will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2026 – at the same time, the legendary Cologne concert from 1976 will mark its 50th anniversary, an event that led to his consequential expatriation and made him a key figure in German-German history.
In times of the GDR dictatorship, Wolf Biermann demonstrated through his stance and art that one must take freedom: “Take your freedom, otherwise it will never come!”; rather than waiting for only smaller freedoms to be granted. For this, he was subjected to a total ban on performing and publishing for 12 years. The aim was to isolate him completely. However, Wolf Biermann did not yield, remaining the most outspoken critic of the GDR dictatorship. Through book and music publications that had to be smuggled secretly to the West, he quickly became known; his works were translated into almost all Western European languages and Japanese. His popularity largely protected him from arrest.
In 1976, the authorities decided to expatriate the poet and musician who could not be silenced. They employed a popular method used by the Nazis. The then-unforeseen large wave of protest – personalities in the West such as Yves Montand, Joan Baez, Luigi Nono, or Arthur Miller stood in solidarity, but above all, the resistance within the GDR itself, especially from the so-called ordinary people – is considered by historians as the beginning of the end of the GDR.
Wolf Biermann remains opinionated and has repeatedly sparked debates. To this day, he does not shy away from articulating uncomfortable truths in often sharp, vivid language, thus involving himself in current politics.
This autumn, Wolf Biermann will turn 90 years old. His legendary Cologne concert of 1976 will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The geopolitical conditions are rapidly changing. Once again, it is critical today to defend freedom, democracy, and equal diversity against radical-religious, racist, and anti-Semitic thinking and actions. The fracture begins in people's minds and ultimately solidifies in indifferent hearts. The time needs combative role models like Wolf Biermann, who has shown through his example what it means to remain steadfast.
For the 90th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Cologne concert, Wolf Biermann's political contributions – as well as his musical and poetic work – will be honored and celebrated in three events. In the gala concerts, friends, artists, and companions will come together (varying at each event) with Wolf Biermann, who will naturally also take the stage to perform his most important songs and poems.
Under the title: “Warte nicht auf beßre Zeiten!” these concerts will take place:
21.10.2026 Köln - Philharmonie
03.11.2026 Hamburg - Elbphilharmonie
20.11.2026 Leipzig - Gewandhaus
18.06.2026 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE STAGE GUESTS
The stage guests for the gala concerts on the occasion of Wolf Biermann's 90th birthday are now confirmed – and they are as diverse as the life and work of the poet and songwriter himself. Friends, companions, political allies, and artist colleagues will perform with Wolf Biermann over three evenings in Cologne (Philharmonie), Hamburg (Elbphilharmonie), and Leipzig (Gewandhaus). Each concert will have its own lineup and unique program.
Kicking off on October 21, 2026, in Cologne – and this is no coincidence: 50 years ago, Wolf Biermann held his legendary Cologne concert here, which became the reason for his scandalous expatriation. Alongside Biermann on that evening in the Philharmonie will be former Federal President Joachim Gauck, who will deliver the festive speech for this historical event that shook both East and West Germany and provoked international protests. The WDR icon Carmen Thomas and actor Burghart, who was present at the concert in 1976. The rapper Juse Ju, classical guitarist Nora Buschmann, and jazz legends Günter Baby Sommer and Uli Gumpert. The evening will be hosted by Pamela Biermann.
On November 3, 2026, in Biermann’s hometown Hamburg at the Elbphilharmonie: Campino, who will give the festive speech, comes with guitarist Kuddel (Andreas von Holst). The band Die Toten Hosen has just released a joint version with Biermann of “Ermutigung”. The century entertainer OTTO. The Hamburg string quartet Salut Salon. Actors Burghart Klaußner and Gustav Peter Wöhler. Guitarist Nora Buschmann. Writer and cabaret artist Franz Hohler. Singer Uschi Brüning with pianist Christian von der Goltz; and jazz legends Günter Baby Sommer and Uli Gumpert. The evening will be hosted by Pamela Biermann.
On November 20, 2026, it will continue to Leipzig. Here, Biermann held his first public concert in December 1989 after 25 years of total ban in the GDR, successfully organized with the help of civil rights activists and improvised in the exhibition halls. Historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk will deliver the festive speech that evening at the Gewandhaus. Alongside Biermann will appear: Wolfgang Niedecken with pianist Mike Herting. Rapper Juse Ju. Guitarist Nora Buschmann and actress Barbara Schnitzler. Chinese poet and dissident Liao Yiwu. Singer Uschi Brüning with pianist Christian von der Goltz, and jazz legends Günter Baby Sommer and Uli Gumpert. The evening will be hosted by Pamela Biermann.
All participants:
Wolf Biermann; Pamela Biermann; Uschi Brüning and Christian von der Goltz; Nora Buschmann; Campino and Kuddel/Andreas von Holst; former Federal President Joachim Gauck; Uli Gumpert; Franz Hohler; Juse Ju; Burghart Klaußner; Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk; Liao Yiwu; Wolfgang Niedecken and Mike Herting; OTTO; Salut Salon; Carmen Thomas; Barbara Schnitzler; Günter Baby Sommer; Gustav Peter Wöhler and surprise guests.
THE DATES
21.10.2026 Köln - Philharmonie
03.11.2026 Hamburg - Elbphilharmonie
20.11.2026 Leipzig - Gewandhaus
Tickets for the concerts mentioned above are available at all known advance sales outlets.
Co-organizer of the concerts is Clouds Hill (music publishing and label of Wolf Biermann), which continuously oversees his music catalog – most recently with the cover album “Wolf Biermann RE:IMAGINED - Lieder für jetzt!” – and has made a name for itself internationally with the care of The Mars Volta and Omar Rodríguez-López catalog.
Doors open: 7:00 PM
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
