Art and music combines: Mendelssohn's Paulus” inspires in Passau!

Art and music combines: Mendelssohn's Paulus” inspires in Passau!

St. Michael Kirche, Schustergasse 14, 94032 Passau, Deutschland - On July 12, 2025, the St. Michael Church in Passau transformed into a place of contemporary art and music, while the “European weeks” presented its varied program. The event, which started at 7:30 p.m. and went until 10:30 p.m., offered an exciting combination of literature and classical music, with the actress Paula-Maria Kirschner a reading from Franz Kafka's known work "The Transformation". Musical interludes, including works by Bedřich Smetana and Viktor Ullmann, emphasized the contemporary and historical references that Kafkas create to this day. The atmosphere of the St. Michael Church, which promotes close connection to literature and music, ensured an intensive listening experience.

Another highlight of these festival was the symposium that the head of the Passau Festival, Carsten Gerhard, opened on July 16, 2025. With the provocative question "What is art?" He suggested the participants to think about the role of art in today's society. Gerhard admitted that there could be no simple answers to this in just a half -day symposium. Regarding the origins of the European weeks, which in 1952 with the motto "We are calling for the United States of Europe!" The event would like to promote art as a means of overcoming cultural and political barriers.

lectures and discussions

Political scientist Heinrich Oberreuter argued during the symposium that "Luther and the Weimar classic" could be viewed as turning points in history that had overcome "socialism and honecker". Oberreuter made it clear that the freedom of art was closely linked to the freedom of society. Under the moderation of art historian Margarete Pratschke, controversial discussions were conducted as to whether art creates or needs more freedom. Cultural scientist Wolfgang Ullrich discussed that art has increasingly moved away from the idea of autonomy in the past three decades and is more cooperating with non -governmental organizations (NGOs).

Georg W. Bertram from the FU Berlin shaped the concept of the "affords" to describe how works of art open up and give unexpected impulses. His consideration that the effects of art are not predetermined and that a clear separation between high and pop culture often does not exist, the attendees stimulated to think.

emotional performances

After the intensive lectures and discussions, the performance of Mendelssohn's "Paulus" became the emotional crowning glory of the evening. The performance, designed by the Audi Youth Choir Academy and the Academy for Old Music Berlin, captivated with its intimacy and dramaturgy. Especially the final choir, which announced that the "crown of justice" applies to everyone and not only for Paul, ensured that the audience flocked from the church with a feeling of lightness and joy. It was an impressive conclusion of an evening that impressively broke out the powers of art and music.

for interested parties: Further information on Mendelssohn's “Paulus” and the Festival can be found in the article by FAZ and on termine.de .