Public Events
Since 1953, the Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft has been committed to the sustainable promotion of young artists. Throughout the year, we invite guests to selected events – from readings with the nominees for the Literature Prize and the eagerly awaited final concerts to exhibitions and discussions at some of Germany's most important cultural venues.
In recent years, we have increasingly opened our doors to non-members for some of these outstanding evenings: interested art and culture enthusiasts are cordially invited to become part of these special encounters.
Upcoming events:
Reading and discussion with Yevgeniy Breyger
10:00 a.m. | Philharmonie, Chamber Music Hall
Immerse yourself in the impressive linguistic world of the award-winning poet Yevgeniy Breyger. In a staged reading with actors from the Berliner Ensemble, poems from his collection Frieden ohne Krieg (Peace Without War) are brought to life – powerful, moving, disturbingly beautiful.
Afterwards, Breyger talks with journalist and presenter Jörg Thadeusz about his writing, about language as resistance, about origin and responsibility.
Born in Kharkiv in 1989, Yevgeniy Breyger now lives in Vienna, where he teaches at the University of Applied Arts. His poetry navigates the tension between literary tradition and radical contemporary life – formally precise, politically charged, linguistically polyphonic. ‘Frieden ohne Krieg’ (published by kookbooks, 2023) is an impressive testimony to this artistic attitude.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Price per person: €22.15
Concessions: €13.35
The literature section of the Kulturkreis
is supported by the Deutsche Bank Foundation.
Concert with Jonas Müller, accompanied by the Kammerakademie Potsdam
Doors open at 4.30 p.m., concert starts at 5 p.m. | Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal (Chamber Music Hall)
Following his acclaimed performance at the Heidelberger Frühling Festival, baritone Jonas Müller, current winner of the Music Prize, can now be heard in the festive setting of the Kulturkreis's annual conference. Together with the Kammerakademie Potsdam, he presents an exciting programme that builds musical bridges between eras and styles.
The programme opens with a new work by composer Zara Ali – a version of Breakdown Resonanzraum No. 2 specially adapted for this evening, originally written for the Ensemble Resonanz in the Hamburger Bunker.
This is followed by works by Händel, Bach, Mozart and Mahler – arias, cantatas and romantic songs, interpreted by one of the most exciting singers of the younger generation and an outstanding ensemble.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Price per person: €42.35
Concessions: €18.85
The cultural association's music programme is supported by G. Henle Verlag, the Peter Klöckner Foundation and Dr. Arend Oetker.
ars viva 2026 Exhibition I
March 13, 2026, Marta Herford
The ars viva class of 2026 opens its exhibition year at Marta Herford. Artists Ryan Cullen, Nazanin Noori, and Prateek Vijan will present new works developed especially for the exhibition.
The grand opening on March 13 also marks the beginning of the 75th anniversary year of the Cultural Committee of German Business and shows how artistic avant-garde and cultural tradition come together in a lively exchange.
The exhibition will be on view at Marta Herford until May 25, 2026.
Final Concert
April 30, 2026, Berlin Concert Hall
On April 30, three outstanding young talents will present their individually designed programs in the magnificent Schinkel building. The finalists will be accompanied by the Konzerthaus Orchestra under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Prof. Steven Sloane.
Experience a concert evening full of virtuoso performances, thrilling moments, and musical excitement. The jury's decision on the 2026 prize winner will be announced on the same evening.
Tickets are available via the concert hall's website.
Shortlist reading “Young Voices of Literature”
May 7, 2026, Munich Kammerspiele
For the third time, the works on the shortlist for the Literature Prize will be presented on one of Germany's most renowned stages. The combination of literary text and staging by members of the Munich Kammerspiele ensemble opens up surprising perspectives – and allows the works to be experienced in a fascinating new way.
After the readings, the authors themselves will provide personal insights into their work and creative process. The jury will then retire to deliberate – and you will find out that same evening which voice prevailed and will receive the German Business Literature Prize 2026.
Tickets are available via the Munich Kammerspiele website.
Kulturkreis Tour
June–September 2026
The Kulturkreis Tour gives music prize winners the opportunity to perform at the most prestigious festivals in Germany and Switzerland. This allows young talents to gain a wide range of stage experience – from experimental performances to large solo concerts with orchestral accompaniment.
With baritone Jonas Müller, music prize winner in 2025, audiences can look forward to a diverse program centered on the art of song. The performances take place in unique locations – from magnificent university halls in Heidelberg to atmospheric settings in the vineyards of the Rhineland.
You can find more information about the 2026 Kulturkreis Tour here.
ars viva 2026 Exhibition II
December 4, 2026, Kunstverein Braunschweig
Experience new works by Ryan Cullen, Nazanin Noori, and Prateek Vijan at one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious centers for contemporary art.
The exhibition will be on display at the Kunstverein Braunschweig from December 5, 2026, to February 21, 2027.
Previous Events:
ars viva 2025. Where will we land?
25–26 June 2025, Haus der Kunst, Munich
The 2025 ars viva prize winners Wisrah C. V. da R. Celestino,
Vincent Scheers and Helena Uambembe present their work
at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, including numerous pieces created
especially for the exhibition.
The exhibition runs from 17 June to 21 September 2025. Further information can be found here.
Literature Prize 2025 – Young Voices in Literature
17 May 2025, Munich
On 16 May 2025, nominees Yevgeniy Breyger, Elias Hirschl and Hengameh Yaghoobifarah presented excerpts from their works in a staged reading at the Munich Kammerspiele theatre. The evening was accompanied by discussions about literature and society, moderated by Miriam Zeh.
After intensive deliberations by the jury, the prize, worth 20,000 euros, was awarded to the Kharkiv-born poet Yevgeniy Breyger – for a language of great power and thematic relevance.
Click here for the photo gallery of the reading at the Kammerspiele.
Final Concert of the 2025 Music Prize
6 April 2025, Heidelberg
On 6 April, the final concert of the 2025 Music Prize took place as part of the renowned ‘Heidelberger Frühling’ music festival. The finalists Clarissa Bevilacqua (violin), Jonas Müller (baritone) and Tabea Wink (recorder) impressed the audience with works by Vivaldi, Corelli, Ravel, Chausson, Hosokawa and Eggert. Jonas Müller won over both the jury and the audience and was named the winner of the 2025 Music Prize. The evening before, pianist Giorgi Gigashvili, winner of the 2024 Music Prize, provided another musical highlight with a fascinating piano recital.
Click here for the photo gallery of the final concert.
