Hafiz prays

At the heart of the gala concert is ‘Hafiz: A Series of Songs’, a cycle for choir, vocal soloists and piano by Friedrich Gernsheim – a colourful work that is rarely performed today, which the Ölbergchor, conducted by our cantor Johannes Weber, has rediscovered. It is complemented by compositions by Giacomo Meyerbeer, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and other composers who were also inspired by Hafiz’s poetry.

Hafiz’s verses celebrate love, wine and the beauty of the world, whilst at the same time posing uncomfortable questions: about the authenticity of faith, about piety that becomes mere posturing, and about the freedom of the individual in the face of religious authority. More than 600 years after they were written, these texts have lost none of their urgency. The concert invites you to listen across religious boundaries and engage in dialogue.

To set the mood, introductory talks will take place on Friday and Saturday, one hour before the concert begins (7.00 pm): Thomas Kliche from the Meyerbeer Society, along with Natalie Marie Rose and Osman Oers from the House of One, will provide insights into the works and their interfaith background.

• Date: Friday 20 November 2026 and Saturday 21 November 2026
• Time: 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm
• Venue: Emmauskirche, Lausitzer Platz 8a, 10997 Berlin Kreuzberg
• Performers: The Ölbergchor Kreuzberg, conducted by Johannes Weber
• Tickets HERE