Gregor Schwellenbach: “Social rules tend to be a bit more relaxed in Cologne”
For Cologne-based composer Gregor Schwellenbach, music is a means of communication – a way of bringing people together and understanding what makes them tick. In this interview, he talks about his musical beginnings, his ambivalent relationship with Carnival and what makes Cologne techno so special.
Kathrin Marchand: “I love the Rhineland’s easygoing vibe”
For elite athlete and doctor Kathrin Marchand, her hometown of Cologne is both a training ground and a place to reset. On 6 March 2026, she lines up at the Winter Paralympics in Milan.
Shop. Sip. Snack. Repeat: 5 alternative Christmas markets in Cologne
Cologne’s Christmas markets aren’t all about wooden pyramids and incense smoke. Beyond the classics, the city offers plenty of creative, colourful spots where you can browse, sip a mulled wine and grab a bite or two along the way. Here are five that should be on your festive radar.
Frank Schätzing: “Cologne could be a little New York”
It was “The Swarm” that cemented Frank Schätzing’s reputation as one of Cologne’s best-known literary exports. We sat down with the bestselling author to talk about why he prefers to write about his hometown, his favourite running spots, and his thoughts on heroism in our times.
Elke Kuhlen: “Cologne has an imperfect charm”
As the director of Cologne’s c/o pop Festival, Elke Kuhlen is something of a local celebrity. We found out about her favourite places, her personal music tastes and why Cologne is better than Abu Dhabi.
Off the beaten track: ten out-of-the-ordinary places to visit in Cologne
Open any Cologne guidebook and it will list the cathedral, Hohenzollernbrücke bridge and the Rheinauhafen harbour redevelopment as must-see sights. But leave the beaten path behind and you’ll find the city has more unusual spots to explore as well. Here come ten hidden gems.
Albi X: “I experience discrimination from both sides.”
Albi X knows all about discrimination. As a teenager, he was harassed both due to his ethnicity and for being an albino. But instead of letting it get him down, he embarked on a successful career as a musician, transcending boundaries with his multilingual lyrics and captivating audiences with his high-energy dance performances.
“People respect each other in the Cologne art scene”
In 2009, Carmen Strzelecki took the plunge and founded her own publishing company for art books in her adopted home of Cologne.
When hunger kicks in: five really good takeaway restaurants in Cologne for famished football fans
Every match has to end at some point and that’s when you really start to notice how hungry you are. If you come…
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