［CITY］
Berlin … Germany
［SCHEDULE］
2026：8.28 … 9.23
To the festival site ▷
The Berlin Art Week（Berliner Festwochen） was established in 1951, just as Europe was healing from the ravages of World War II and making strides toward reconstruction. It is not difficult to imagine that the founding of the festival was based on the earnest desire of Europe, scarred by the war, to deepen mutual understanding through dialogue with artists from around the world.
The predecessor of this festival was founded as one of the 12 festivals that were part of the Art Week.The festival was reorganized and re-launched as the Berlin Music Festival in 2005. Its opening at the end of August, the festival has become the one that marks the beginning of the music season in Berlin.
Moreover, since the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra plays host to the festival, it is also a gorgeous music festival in which many famous orchestras and performing groups led by major conductors make guest appearances and compete with each other.
The lineup of orchestras that gather at the festival every year is sure to make anyone gasp in surprise. In the past, the Lucerne Festival, which was the “closing” event of the summer music festivals, was known as a music festival featuring prestigious orchestras. However, Lucerne has now taken a different course, forming its own festival orchestra and placing it at the core of the festival. This festival has now completely taken over Lucerne’s position.
In addition, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will make its first guest appearance in 2024. Each year is also characterized by the spotlight being placed on a particular composer, with 2024 marking the 200th anniversary of Bruckner’s birth, the 100th anniversary of Nono’s birth, and the 150th anniversary of Ives’ birth and 70th anniversary of his death.
The duration of the festival is around 20 days. The concerts will be held at the Philharmonie, home of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Konzerthaus in former East Germany, and the Pierre Boulez Saal, adjacent to the State Opera Berlin, where an oval-shaped stage is surrounded by audience seats.
