Commemorative event marking the 151st anniversary of his birth at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
How can Albert Schweitzer's values provide guidance and support today, in a time of change and challenges? The Albert Schweitzer Foundation – Living & Care will address this question at this year's commemorative event on 14 January 2026 at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Image gallery
Albert Schweitzer im Hier und Jetzt_Plakat
Under the motto ‘Albert Schweitzer in the Here and Now’, the foundation will show how Schweitzer's legacy continues to connect people today and how his values are lived out in concrete terms in everyday work.
Managing Director Jörg Schwarzer and managers Nina Hube, Ilona Kolbe, Esther Lehr and works council member Annelie Kirchner will talk – moderated by Stephan Drüen – about how the fundamental attitude of ‘reverence for life’ can be experienced in daily work: in society and in public, in care, in supporting people with disabilities, in social psychiatry and in respectful cooperation between employees. ‘We want to show how we keep Albert Schweitzer's values alive. In small gestures, in mindful encounters and in an attitude that treats every person with respect and openness,’ emphasises Managing Director Jörg Schwarzer.
The event will be accompanied by the festive music of Johann Sebastian Bach's organ works, played by renowned church musician Sebastian Heindl.
A particularly touching moment will be the joint performance of the inclusive foundation choir ‘InTakt’ and the neighbourhood choir ‘Die PankePerlen’. With the foundation song ‘Wir leben es’ (We live it) and a medley about the stages of Albert Schweitzer's life, they invite the audience to experience the unifying power of music first-hand.
The foundation choir was originally founded in 2013 for this memorial service. Since then, its performances on many occasions have stood for active participation and togetherness that overcomes barriers: users of care and support services, volunteers and employees sing side by side – a visible and audible sign of community and humanity. For many years, the content of this memorial service has been organised on a rotating basis by the Albert Schweitzer Foundation – Living & Care and the Albert Schweitzer Children's Villages and Family Works Association.
Admission to the event is free. Donations to support the work of the Albert Schweitzer Foundation – Living & Care are warmly welcomed.
- Wednesday, 14 January 2026
- 7.30 to 8.30 p.m.
- Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin
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