Wolf Biermann celebrates his 90th birthday with three festive concerts

On the occasion of his 90th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his expatriation from the GDR, singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann is planning three celebratory concerts this year. Under the title "Warte nicht auf beßre Zeiten!", he will perform on October 21 in Cologne (Philharmonie), on November 3 in Hamburg (Elbphilharmonie) and on November 21 in Leipzig (Gewandhaus), announced co-organizer Clouds Hill as Biermann's music publisher and label.

Friends, artists and companions meet Biermann

According to the information provided, Biermann's political achievements as well as his musical and poetic work will be honored and celebrated at the three events. Friends, artists and companions will meet Biermann, who himself will perform his most important songs and poems on stage.

Biermann will be 90 years old on November 15. November 13 also marks the 50th anniversary of the concert in Cologne's Sporthalle, as a result of which the Hamburg native was expatriated from the GDR against his will and became a key figure in German-German history. After his expulsion, personalities such as Yves Montand, Joan Baez and Arthur Miller, as well as numerous GDR citizens, showed solidarity with him.

Biermann was banned from performing for twelve years

Biermann, who had moved from Hamburg to the GDR in 1953 at the age of 16, quickly came into conflict with the GDR authorities. For twelve years, he was banned from performing or going to the public after he called for people to take their freedom instead of waiting for smaller freedoms to be granted.

Biermann nevertheless continued to criticize the GDR dictatorship. He
quickly became famous through book and music publications that were smuggled into the West. "His popularity protected him considerably from arrest," explained Clouds Hill.