Phil.Cologne

With more than 10,000 visitors each year, Phil.Cologne is considered the largest festival of its kind in Europe. Like Lit.Cologne, it favors a format that goes beyond books and writing as its medium. In 2017 the program comprised 36 events for adults and 18 for children and young people.

Here, the exchange of ideas becomes tangible through live conversation. Typically, a philosopher and another guest sit on stage for a 90-minute discussion while the audience listens in. Alongside this, there are also panel discussions with several participants, moderated by a philosopher.

On stage, philosophers meet scientists, journalists, artists, politicians, and writers, among others. The conversations revolve around specific themes, often drawn from current debates. Other relevant questions are also addressed, examined from a philosophical perspective.

Some events are broadcast by the radio station WDR 5. The festival and program direction includes figures such as Wolfram Eilenberger, Svenja Flaßpöhler, Gert Scobel, and Jürgen Wiebicke.