kultur P. Festival Kulmbach

25 Years of the Rieger Organ

The Rieger organ in Kulmbach's St. Peter's Church was built in 2001 by the Austrian organ builder Rieger and is considered one of the most important concert instruments in Upper Franconia. For its 25th anniversary in 2026, the city of Kulmbach, together with the Protestant parish, is organizing a four-day cultural festival celebrating the versatility of organ and church music.

Olivier Latry – Notre-Dame Meets Kulmbach

Arguably the most prominent guest: Olivier Latry, titular organist of Paris Cathedral Notre-Dame and one of the world's most renowned concert organists. His performance on the Rieger organ at St. Peter's Church is one of the musical highlights of the 2026 Upper Franconian concert season.

Duke Ellington's "Sacred Concert"

Another highlight: the performance of Duke Ellington's "Sacred Concert" – one of the most remarkable sacred jazz compositions of the 20th century – with the T-Jazz Big Band. The work combines liturgy and big band jazz, perfectly fitting the festival's dual nature between classical and pop.

Four-Day Programme

The festival runs from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20, 2026, at St. Peter's Church. The programme ranges from classical to pop, from jazz to theatre – a deliberately broad concept that showcases the church as a space for culture beyond liturgy.

Kulmbach in the Obermain Region

Kulmbach is the district capital of the Kulmbach district in Upper Franconia. The city is known nationwide as a "beer city" (Kulmbacher Brewery, Bavarian Brewery Museum) and houses the Plassenburg, one of the most important Renaissance castles in Southern Germany. St. Peter's Church is located in the city centre and is the main Protestant church in the region.