Sommerblut

Sommerblut is a cultural festival in Cologne, Germany which first took place in 2002 and offers a broad spectrum of performances, dance- and theatre productions, but also concerts, movies, art expositions and lectures. Sommerblut prides itself as an inclusive festival, in respect to its venues and cultural offerings.

With a mix of own productions and guest performances, national and international artists, celebrities and young talents, Sommerblut has established itself in Colognes cultural landscape. Through its innovative and often experimental character as well as its diverse range of genres, Sommerblut has made a name for itself domestically and abroad.

Topics

Sommerblut doesn't shy away from socio-political issues and has a decisively emancipatory approach. Sommerblut also aspires to be a very inclusive festival, defining inclusion in the broadest possible way: physical and cognitive features, ways of life, cultural values, traditions, religious persuasions – everything that defines the identity of a human being and the political discourse in society.

Sommerblut raises awareness about the plight of minorities and other discriminated groups, like women, LGBT, chronically sick and handicapped people, refugees, people of color and those whose religious or ideological beliefs differ from the majority. „Sommerblut draws the edge to the center of society and brings the center to the edge“, thats how the organizers describe their mission statement on their partly bilingual website.

In 2019 Sommerblut stood under the topic of „Faith“, with own productions like "City of Faith" by Stefan Herrmann and Ensemble, "YOUTOPIA" and "Kraft und Beistand" – a project with and for people with chronic illnesses. The reinterpretation of Shakespeares "Der Kaufmann von Venedig", the all-woman performance "Believe it - or not" and the first "Cologne Festival of Religions" also offered different takes on faith.

In the preceding years Sommerblut chose the topics of "Body" (2018), "Intoxication" (2017) and "Love" (2016).

Awards

• 2007: Cologne Dance Award together with DIN A 13 Tanzkompanie for the performance „SEX ID“.
• 2012: Cologne Innovation Award Disabled Policy for a theatre production covering dementia „ANDERLAND“.
• 2018: Nomination for the Cologne Theatre Award for a production with drug addicts „DRUGLAND“.
• 2019: Nomination for the Cologne Theatre Award for a production with young actors „YOUTOPIA“.

Past dates and artists

7/16 – 7/5/2002

• Events: 13, i.a. Tim Fischer, Kommando Rothenberger, Janice Perry, Kordula Völker, Caspar & Bianca, Charles Ripley
• Visitors: 2.000

6/26 – 7/11/2003

• Events: 16, i.a. Pe Werner, Maren Kroymann, die Geschwister Pfister, dem Kommando Rothenberger, Malediva, Gayle Tufts, Rainer Bielfeldt
• Visitors: 5.000

6/9 – 7/17/2004

• Events: 25, i.a. Antony and the Johnsons, Désirée Nick, Tim Fischer, Georgette Dee, Lilo Wanders, Ursula West, Kommando Rothenberger
• Visitors: 6.500

6/19 – 7/10/2005

• Events: 28, i.a. Georgette Dee, Hermes Phettberg, Mirjam Müntefering, MännerKulturen, Barbara Kuster, Robert Kreis, Stefan Stoppok, Bettina Böttinger, Anka Zink, Isabel Varell, Coco Camelle
• Visitors: 8.000

5/18 – 6/8/2006

• Events: 52, i.a. Tim Fischer, Georgette Dee, Katharina Thalbach, Christine Westermann, Gerburg Jahnke, Irmgard Knef, Konrad Beikircher, Gustav Peter Wöhler, Knacki Deuser, Beate Rademacher, Barbara Kuster, Rainer Bielfeldt, Christian Überschall
• Visitors: more than 10.000

5/16 – 6/11/2007

• Events: 62, i.a. Georgette Dee, Dirk Bach, Désirée Nick, Herbert Feuerstein, Claude-Oliver Rudolph, Doris Kunstmann, Robert Kreis, Clueso, Jan Plewka, Anka Zink, Romy Haag, Hella von Sinnen, Rainer Bielfeldt, Lilo Wanders, Ulla Meinecke, Christine Westermann, Barbara Kuster, Ralph Morgenstern, Manes Meckenstock, Knacki Deuser, Mouron, Terry Truck, Telmo Pires

2008

• 120 events at 25 locations, 20.000 visitors

2009

• 150 events at 40 locations, 23.000 visitors

2010

• 150 events at 45 locations, 20.000 visitors.

2011

• 120 events at 35 locations, 18.000 visitors.

2012

• Topic: DEMENTIA (60 events at 25 locations, 12.000 visitors)

2013

• Topic: FLEEING (70 events at 40 locations, 11.000 visitors)

2014

• Topic: TABOO (80 events at 35 locations, 12.000 visitors)

2015

• Topic: MONEY (80 events at 30 locations, 11.000 visitors)

2016

• Topic: LOVE (80 events at 35 locations, 15.000 visitors)

2017

• Topic: INTOXICATION (38 events at 24 locations, 10.000 visitors)

2018

• Topic: BODY (31 events at 24 locations, 6.000 visitors)

2019

• Topic: FAITH (35 events at 25 locations, 13.500 visitors)

Weblinks

• Official website
• Listing in Directory of European Disability Arts Festivals
• Official reference by Colognes Tourism Office