Kulturtage Königswinter

Königswinter — Cultural City on the Drachenfels

Königswinter, on the right bank of the Rhine opposite the cityscape of Bonn, is one of the most defining cities in the Rhein-Sieg district with around 42,000 inhabitants. Its landmarks include the Siebengebirge with the Drachenfels, the old town with its historic hotels, and the riverside panorama towards Bad Honnef. The city's cultural life thrives on the interplay between tourist flows, established civic associations, and proximity to Bonn's universities — the Kulturtage Königswinter have been a central pillar of this life for over three decades.

32nd Edition — Opening with Beethoven and Rózsa

The opening will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Catholic Parish Church of Maria Königin des Friedens in Königswinter. On Sunday, June 14, at 5:00 PM, the concert will be repeated in the auditorium of the Wermelskirchen school center. The program includes: a Beethoven overture, Beethoven's Choral Fantasy for piano, choir, and orchestra, as well as Motets by Miklós Rózsa. Soloists: pianist Sorina Aust-Ioan, the Kammerchor Oberpleis, and the Sinfonieorchester Wermelskirchen.

The New Organ at St. Remigius

In 2026, the new organ at St. Remigius Parish Church in Königswinter-Altstadt plays a central role. Four organ concerts will showcase the instrument's capabilities with internationally renowned organists: June 21 Robert Mäuser (Rheinberger, Demessieux, Robin), June 28 Ingo Hoesch (Bach, Buxtehude, Andriessen, Merikanto), July 5 Tyron Kretzschmar (Bach, Schumann, Mendelssohn), July 12 Christoph Preiss (Bach and contemporary improvisations). All organ concerts at 3:00 PM, except for July 12 (6:00 PM).

Finale with NRW Brass — Homage to Malcolm Arnold

The finale on Sunday, July 19, 2026, will be a brass concert with NRW Brass conducted by Tobias van de Locht. Program: works by British composer Malcolm Arnold on the occasion of his 20th anniversary of death. NRW Brass is one of the most prominent brass band ensembles in the German-speaking world.

Artistic Signature of Tobias van de Locht

Composer, pianist, and conductor Tobias van de Locht has shaped the Kulturtage Königswinter as artistic director for years. His program combines repertoire (Beethoven, Bach), forgotten works (Rózsa, Andriessen, Merikanto), and anniversary homages (Arnold). This mix explains the strong connection with the regional audience.

Admission and Venues

The majority of concerts are free to attend — an exception are the opening concerts on June 13 and 14. The main venue is St. Remigius in Königswinter's old town, with additional performances at Maria Königin des Friedens, the Wermelskirchen school center, and other churches in the Rhein-Sieg district.