In memory of Ulrich Eckhardt

With welcoming remarks by Matthias Pees (artistic director of the Berliner Festspiele), Maria Bering (deputy head of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media) and Sarah Wedl-Wilson (Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion of the State of Berlin), speeches by Nele Hertling (dramaturge, curator, artistic director) and Friedrich Dieckmann (writer, publicist), and a musical programme with Ludwig Quandt, Axel Bauni, Tamara Stefanovich and Nenad Lečić.


Ulrich Eckhardt, who directed the Berliner Festspiele from 1973 to 2001, passed away on 30 December 2025 at the age of 91. The outstanding cultural manager, musician and lawyer had a significant influence on cultural policy and curatorial work in Berlin for decades as artistic director and managing director of Berliner Festspiele GmbH, both nationally and internationally, and set socially relevant themes with courageous, groundbreaking artistic programmes. From 1989 to 1990, he also served as artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He realised the Topography of Terror documentation centre, initiated the House of World Cultures and conceived numerous major cultural-historical exhibitions of contemporary art. In addition, he promoted and strengthened key festival formats such as the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), the Theatertreffen, the Jazzfest Berlin and the Musik-Biennale, brought the Berliner Festwochen to fruition and developed the Berliner Lektionen discussion series. His work continues to shape the German cultural scene to this day. With Ulrich Eckhardt's passing, the Berliner Festspiele has lost an important driving force and a true visionary.

Programme of the memorial event

Music I

Johann Sebastian Bach
Allemande, 2nd movement from Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012

Ludwig Quandt – violoncello

Welcome

Matthias Pees – Artistic Director, Berliner Festspiele

Maria Bering – Deputy Head of Office, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media

Sarah Wedl-Wilson – Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion, State of Berlin

Speech

Nele Hertling – Dramaturge, Curator, Artistic Director

Music II

Aribert Reimann
No. 3 from Three Piano Pieces Auf dem Weg (1993)

Axel Bauni – Piano

Speech

Friedrich Dieckmann – Writer, Publicist

Music III

Robert Schumann
from the 6 Studies in Canonical Form for Pedal Piano, Op. 56
(arranged for 2 pianos by Claude Debussy)
Study No. 1: Not too fast

György Kurtág
from Játékok, Vol. IV
Hommage à Sárközy – Hand in Hand

Robert Schumann / Claude Debussy
Study No. 3: Andantino

György Kurtág
from Játékok, Vol. IV
Angry Chorale

Robert Schumann / Claude Debussy
Study No. 5: Not too fast
Study No. 6: Adagio

Tamara Stefanovich and Nenad Lečić – piano

The pieces by Schumann / Debussy and Kurtág are played attacca.