Romanischer Sommer 2019 – Sacred Spaces, Medieval Art and Musical Discoveries

At the invitation of the International Visitors Programme a press trip was organised around the »Romanesque Summer« in Cologne. From 25th to 28th June, a music journalist from the UK and a music critic from Italy attended this renowned festival.

The aim of the festival, which has been ongoing for thirty years, is to allow the distinctive architecture and richness of the Romanesque churches in Cologne to be experienced through a unique alliance between sound and space.

The theme this year was »Sagenhaft« (legendary/fabled) and the festival looked at different ways of narrating, speaking and talking of music and with music. Internationally renowned artists presented compositions and improvisations of different genres and styles from the early Middle Ages to the present day.

The concerts and events were followed by art-historical tours of the Romanesque churches of Cologne as well as talks with Maria Spering, artistic director of the festival, with Silke Ufer, responsible for press and PR, as well as participating artists.