On Ascension Day, May 29, the President of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, will be awarded the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen. The Cultural Department of the City of Aachen has once again put together the "Charlemagne Prize LIVE" program around the Katschhof. Live acts, food and drink and information stands guarantee a festival for all Aacheners. It starts the evening before, Wednesday, May 28.

Musical - Lively - Culinary
The evening before

Wednesday, May 28, 4 - 10 p.m.
Katschhof, Aachen
Moderation: Robert Esser, Aachener Zeitung

4 p.m.: Opening of the information stands

7 - 8 p.m.: Laureates 2024: The current winners of the Charlemagne Youth Prize will be introduced to the public and will meet the designated Charlemagne Prize winner 2025, President of the European Commission, Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, who will answer questions from the editor-in-chief of the Aachener Zeitung, Thomas Thelen, on the Katschhof stage.

20:30 - 22:00: Live Gregor Meyle: Many have only known Gregor Meyle since the first season of "Sing meinen Song - Das Tauschkonzert", but he has earned his loyal fan base in hundreds of live performances in clubs, city halls and on large open-air stages. As "Drache" on "The Masked Singer", he sang his way to the final, his studio albums "New York-Stintino" and "Meile für Meyle" won Gold Awards and, in addition to more than a quarter of a million enthusiastic concertgoers, he has now also won an Echo and a German Television Award. With his TV show "Meylensteine" on VOX and as host of the new ARD program "Your Songs" - in which he has already welcomed Robbie Williams and Ronan Keating - he proves that his music connects people. His songs tell stories, his voice touches - honest, approachable, genuine. Join us for an unforgettable evening with one of Germany's most charismatic singer-songwriters.

Musical - Lively - Culinary
The festival

Thursday, May 29, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Katschhof, Aachen
Moderation: Robert Esser, Aachener Zeitung

11 a.m.: Opening of the information stands

11.15: TV broadcast of the ceremony on a big screen at the market, followed by the Charlemagne Prize LIVE at the Katschhof

1 - 2 p.m.: The Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, Dr. Jürgen Linden, and Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen welcome Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, other Charlemagne Prize winners and guests of state and honor to the stage.

14.10 - 15 h: Christoph Leuchter Quartett: musician, writer, singer, songwriter - presents the project "Schritte" and combines crossover instrumental music with his songs. After two published albums, the originally pure piano compositions with clarinet (Harald Claßen), cello (Cosima Streich) and bass (Manes Zielinski) have developed into new worlds of sound. The result is the current stage program with popular and new classical influences. Music for movies in the head, which can also tell of a "long journey" or a "carousel in the park" without words. Christoph Leuchter plays and sings his German-language songs with the ensemble: "Tänzerin", "Hunger", "Blues im April" and more. With drums (Markus Butz) and saxophone, they almost become a little jazzy - songs full of images and emotions.

15:45 - 17:00: ORAKY: Five ambitious musicians who inspire with their own rousing rock and pop songs. Their songs are sometimes soulful and delicate, sometimes groovy and rousing. ORAKY stands for a lively sound, independent, authentic, characterized by the individual influences of each musician. There is no "canned music" with the band, but always "pure ORAKY"!

17.45 - 19.15: Solid Ground: Unique original compositions created by Madjid Salama and Andrea Porten. Singer Andrea Porten is not only known for her impressive performances with greats such as Carl Verheyen (former guitarist of Supertramp) and Eric Gales, but has also left her mark in numerous studio projects and musicals. On the drums, Yann Le Roux provides rousing rhythms. As an experienced drummer and percussionist, he moves between the poles of rock and jazz. Johannes Vos, a passionate bassist and tuba player, brings his musical skills to bear in various genres - from jazz and funk to gripping musical theater. Guitarist Madjid Salama brings his African and European roots to the table. With influences from Hendrix and the Beatles, he creates a unique style.

20.10 - 20.40: HERMANNS: These are not empty phrases, but songs from the here and now. Rocky, poppy, accompanied by funky grooves. Their German-language lyrics tell stories from real life: sometimes critical, sometimes humorous, mostly real, sometimes invented, often thoughtful and always honest. HERMANNS are: Gerd Hermanns (vocals, bass), Leo Leuchtenberg (drums, vocals) and Rolf Lamm (guitar, vocals). All three musicians have years of experience on stage and in the studio - and you can hear it!

20:50 - 22:00: KTK: The band was founded in 1981 and has had numerous band members in its 44-year history, including the current "Höhner" drummer Heiko Braun. The Eifel band has produced records (!), CDs and music videos, mainly with their own titles - for example, "Nu Day" was a joint production with the Namibian music star "EES" - which was even used as film music in cinemas. The band was also once named "Band of the Week" on WDR2. Whether it's a small unplugged setting or a big open air: KTK always fits on stage, even if it gets a bit cramped with ten to twelve musicians. They present a varied mix of classic and very well-known reggae and ska songs, their own titles and also well-known pop songs in the typical KTK arrangement.

The information stands

Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken sponsorship tent
Information on the social commitment of the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken cooperative financial network.

Meeting place for Aachen's town twinning associations. At the information stand, visitors can get to know the work of Aachen's town twinning associations - Montebourg, NAUMBURG, Toledo, Reims, Sariyer, Chernihiv and Cape Town.

Bookstall
The bookshops Schmetz am Dom and M. Jacobi's Nachfolger present national and international literature.

EUROPE DIRECT Aachen
Understanding Europe made easy - free EU information.

European Commission - Regional Representation in Bonn
The Regional Representation in Bonn is responsible for North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. It acts as a link between these federal states and the Commission in Brussels.

Their employees answer questions, help with information material and provide contacts.

Europa-Union Deutschland Kreisverband Aachen
Independent & non-partisan active for a citizen-oriented, transparent and solidary Europe, we are happy to present our work and discuss it with you.

 #pulseofeurope Aachen
Information material and contact persons of the non-partisan pro-European movement can be found at www.pulseofeurope.eu.

magic inside
magic inside is a group of magicians and invites visitors young and old to join in the magic. With cards, coins, ropes, rings, everyday objects and individual tricks from various other areas of magic, guests can be amazed at the magic table. In addition, magic inside enchants with figures made from colorful modeling balloons and a game with shimmering giant soap bubbles.