I am delighted that – despite Corona-related restrictions – the Louis Lewandowski Festival is taking place in Berlin for the eleventh time. It has become a fine tradition and an integral part of our city’s cultural calendar.

No less than three anniversaries are interwoven in 2021: the festival year “1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany”, the organ crowned “Instrument of the Year 2021” and the 200th birthday of Louis Lewandowski, the eponym of the Louis Lewandowski Festival.

Under the motto “The Unknown Lewandowski,” his lesser-known works will be heard this year, including some gems of incomparable beauty. Of course, his famous and well-known pieces will not be neglected.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the participants, especially the festival director Nils Busch-Petersen and the artistic director Regina Yantian.

I wish the organizers and all the participating artists every success in making Lewandowski’s work better known as a cultural asset of Europe. And I wish all guests of the Louis Lewandowski Festival much enjoyment.

Dr. Gideon Joffe, Chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin