In keeping with tradition, our event offers a concentrated distillation of contemporary artistic positions and sheds light on current discourses in the world of culture. Renowned personalities from the worlds of art, politics, philosophy and business come together to cultivate an increasingly rare but essential culture of debate.

Together, we will pose central questions of our time and look at them from the perspectives of art and business: How do echo chambers shape our perception of freedom, cohesion and democracy? And what role can the economy play in strengthening artistic freedom?

The focus will be on the outstanding artistic contributions of the young talents supported by the Kulturkreis. You can look forward to a multifaceted programme with presentations by young artists, authors and musicians, complemented by an inspiring exhibition, the festive award ceremony and an exclusive dinner.

Make a note of October 9 to 11! Take advantage of this special opportunity to exchange ideas with artists and leading personalities. 

A program overview with more detailed information and contact details can be found here.


 

THURSDAY, 9 OCTOBER

General Meeting
3:30–5:30 p.m. | Bundesverband deutscher Banken e.V.

KICK-OFF 
AT THE JULIA STOSCHEK FOUNDATION

Check-in and reception 
6:00 p.m. | Julia Stoschek Foundation

Welcome and exhibition tour
6:30 p.m. | Julia Stoschek Collection

Food Happening
7:15 p.m. | Julia Stoschek Foundation
Meet the young talents of the ars viva art prize in person.

(c) Gordon Welters

FRIDAY, 10 OCTOBER

(c) Gerold Rebsch

MAIN PROGRAMME 
AT THE PHILHARMONIE BERLIN

Check-in
9:30 a.m. | Philharmonie, lower foyer

Welcome
10:00 a.m. | Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall)

Reading and discussion with Yevgeniy Breyger
10:15 a.m. | Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall)
Experience the linguistic world of literature prize winner Yevgeniy Breyger in a staged reading.

Intermission
11:45 a.m. | Philharmonie, lower foyer 

Panel discussion ‘The truth we mean’ – What contribution can art and
business make to the culture of discourse?
12:15 p.m. | Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall)

Participants: 
Lena Gorelik (Literature Prize winner 2022)
Prof. Dr. Moritz Schularick (President of the Kiel Institut für Weltwirtschaft (IfW))
Petra Scharner-Wolff (CEO Otto Group)

Lunch
1:15 p.m. | Philharmonie, lower foyer 

Panel discussion ‘Strengthening democracy.’ followed by Q&A 
2:15 p.m. | Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall)

Keynote: Prof. Dr. Dr. Udo Di Fabio (lawyer and former judge at the Federal Constitutional Court)

Architectural tour of the Philharmonie and the Kulturforum / Champagne reception with culinary accompaniment
3:30 p.m. | Philharmonie, lower foyer

Concert
5:00 p.m. | Doors open at 4:30 p.m. | Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall)
In concert with the Kammerakademie Potsdam, music prize winner Jonas Müller showcases the talent that makes him one of the most exciting young artists of his generation. Also featured: a work by composer Zara Ali, created as part of a composition commission by the Kulturkreis.

Intermission
6:30 p.m.

EVENING PROGRAMME
AT THE MUSEUM OF COMMUNICATION

Reception
7:45 p.m. | Museum of Communication

Award ceremony gala
8:15 p.m. | Museum of Communication
Honouring of the award winners

Festive dinner
9:00 p.m. | Museum of Communication


(c) Gerhard Kühne

SATURDAY, 11 OCTOBER

EXPERIENCE ART 
AT THE MUSEUM OF COMMUNICATION OR THE JULIA STOSCHEK FOUNDATION

Option 1: Cultural education workshop ‘Working with Art’ with Zara Ali
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Museum of Communication

Discover how movement and the body influence the perception of sound in an interactive workshop with our commissioned composer.

Option 2: Deep dive into ars viva + guided tour of the Julia Stoschek Collection
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Julia Stoschek Foundation

A concentrated introduction to the minds of ars viva award winners Nazanin Noori, Prateek Vijan and Ryan Cullen with discussion formats and an individual tour of the exhibition.

Afterwards, you can view the ars viva exhibition or take part in an exclusive guided tour of the Julia Stoschek Foundation's media art collection.


 

Our prize winners 2025


 

The Annual Conference is made possible with the kind support of Peppermint Holding GmbH and DHL Group.

Continue to:

annual conference 2024

annual conference 2024

annual conference 2023

annual conference 2023

annual conference 2022

annual conference 2022

annual conference in review - Kulturkreis

annual conference in review