Jazzfest Berlin

62nd Jazzfest Berlin — political theme, sold-out festival

With a timely and critical theme, Jazzfest Berlin 2025 opened its season. "Where Will You Run When the World's on Fire?" resonated throughout the entire program — from the opening premiere Marc Ribot: Map of a Blue City, to the European premiere of Amirtha Kidambi's Elder Ones, and the world premiere of Fire! Orchestra — Words conducted by Mats Gustafsson. Wadada Leo Smith bid farewell with his last European tour in Berlin, and Makaya McCraven returned to the main stage seven years after his club concert.

The Albert Mangelsdorff Prize was awarded to singer and improviser Lauren Newton.

With nearly 8,000 visitors for the festival and the Community Week, the event achieved 99% capacity across all venues — Haus der Berliner Festspiele, A-Trane, Quasimodo, and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The Community Week (October 27–31) attracted around 2,000 additional guests with lunch concerts, Moabit sessions, and workshops for over 90 young participants. Three live broadcasts via Deutschlandfunk Kultur, ARD, and rbb radio3 carried the festival across the country.