29 May 2025
Aachen celebrates Europe
The whole of Aachen will become a European meeting place when the President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, is honoured with the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen on 29 May 2025. The festive ceremony in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall will begin at 11:15 a.m. and will be broadcast live in the city and on WDR. Prior to this, the traditional pontifical mass for the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony will take place at 9:00 a.m. in Aachen Cathedral.
We invite you to join us at Katschhof for a large open-air festival featuring music, discussions and a diverse programme that brings Europe's diversity and cohesion to life. Together, we want to celebrate Europe – its values, its achievements and its future.
Agenda
9:00 a.m.
pontifical service
Aachen Cathedral
11:15 a.m.
Ceremony
Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall
Agenda Charlemagne Prize LIVE
11:00 a.m.
Opening of information stands
11:15 a.m.
television broadcast
TV broadcast of the ceremony on a large video screen in the market square, followed by the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony LIVE at the Katschhof.
12:55 p.m.
Musical welcome
Musical welcome by the Christoph Leuchter Quartet
1:00 p.m.
Reception for prize winner
The Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, Dr. Jürgen Linden, and Mayor Sibylle Keupen welcome President Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, other Charlemagne Prize laureates, and state and honorary guests to the stage.
2:10 p.m.
Christoph Leuchter Quartett
Christoph Leuchter, musician, writer, singer and songwriter, presents the project ‘Schritte’ (Steps), combining crossover instrumental music with his songs.
After two albums, the originally pure piano compositions have developed into new soundscapes with clarinet (Harald Claßen), cello (Cosima Streich) and bass (Manes Zielinski). The result is the current stage programme; music that, even without words, can tell of a ‘long journey’ or a ‘carousel in the park’. Christoph Leuchter plays and sings his songs with the ensemble: ‘Tänzerin’ (Dancer), ‘Hunger’ (Hunger), ‘Blues im April’ (Blues in April) and more. With drums (Markus Butz) and saxophone, they take on a slightly jazzy feel – songs full of images and emotions.
3:45 p.m.
ORAKY
Five ambitious musicians who thrill audiences with their own rousing rock and pop songs. Their songs are sometimes soulful and delicate, sometimes lively and rousing. ORAKY stands for lively sound, independent, authentic, shaped by the individual influences of each musician. With this band, there is no ‘canned music’, only ‘pure ORAKY’!
5:45 p.m.
Solid Ground
Unique original compositions created by Madjid Salama and Andrea Porten. Singer Andrea Porten is not only known for her performances with greats such as Carl Verheyen and Eric Gales, but has also left her mark on numerous studio projects and musicals. Yann Le Roux provides rousing rhythms on the drums. As an experienced drummer and percussionist, he moves between 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 theatre – and guitarist Madjid Salama brings his African and European roots to the table; with influences from Hendrix and the Beatles, he creates a unique style.
8:10 p.m.
HERMANNS
HERMANNS – songs from the here and now. Rock, pop, accompanied by funky grooves. Their German lyrics tell stories from real life: sometimes critical, sometimes humorous, mostly real, sometimes fictional, often thought-provoking 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!
8:50 p.m.
KTK
Founded in 1981, KTK has had numerous band members throughout its long history, including the current ‘Hühner’ drummer Heiko Braun. The Eifel band has produced records, CDs and music videos, mainly with their own songs – ‘Nu Day’ was a joint production with Namibian music star ‘EES’ – which was used as film music in cinemas. Whether it's a small unplugged setting or a large open-air concert, KTK always fits on stage, even if things get a little crowded with 10-12 musicians. They present a varied mix of classic and well-known reggae and ska songs, their own songs and also well-known pop songs in typical KTK arrangements.