Entertainment

Chris de Sarandy is a British singer and songwriter whose emotive pop sound and soulful voice are turning heads. Born in Surrey and educated in Leeds, he moved to Berlin in search of creative freedom and better conditions to pursue his music. Starting out busking on the streets, his breakthrough came in 2023 with the dance anthem “Cynical”, a collaboration with twocolors and Safri Duo. The track hit No. 1 on the German airplay charts and has since amassed over 130 million streams on Spotify.

With a sharp ear for melody and brutally honest songwriting, de Sarandy proved that “Cynical” was no one-off. After signing with Berlin-based independent label Embassy of Music in 2022, he released several singles and his debut project Know Your Worth. His new single “Rain”, created with Swedish production duo MTHR (Zara Larsson, Loreen), marks the beginning of a new chapter and his upcoming EP. The track reflects on the end of a relationship—but also serves as a personal reckoning: “It started as a letter to an ex, but I quickly realized I was actually writing to myself,” he explains. Chris de Sarandy stands for authenticity, musical depth, and a voice that resonates far beyond the surface—a distinctive artist redefining modern pop with heart and soul.

Circa Contemporary Circus – The Future of Circus

Forget everything you think you know about circus. Circa Contemporary Circus from Australia is redefining the art form: radical, breathtaking, limitless. An explosive mix of high-performance acrobatics, hypnotic music, and avant-garde design. No ring, no kitsch, no illusions – just pure body art. A play with gravity and perspective, where bodies fly through the air, bend into seemingly impossible shapes, and tell new stories with every movement. Precision meets expression, technique meets soul. With WOLF among others, Circa presents a performance that explores the untamed self with anarchic joy and energy. In striking choreography set to music by Ori Lichtik, acrobatics and dance merge into a powerful portrayal of human nature. An experience that tests the boundaries between instinct and community.

This isn’t just a show. This is Circa.

DECLAN J DONOVAN, the young songwriter from Harlow near London, is thriving. Not just because of over 500 million streams or 1.7 million monthly Spotify fans, but because he’s focused on self-care over the past two years. After struggling with anxiety and depression, he’s found peace: "I worked hard on myself and feel better than ever. Gold records are great, but I’m happy focusing on my songs and letting whatever happens, happen."

His career began simply, inspired by an Ed Sheeran acoustic song that led him to take up guitar. In 2014, he shared his song "Fallen So Young" on SoundCloud, which quickly garnered a million fans. In 2020, his “Homesick” EP, featuring hits like “Pieces” and “Perfectly Imperfect,” earned millions of streams and charted globally, with "Perfectly Imperfect" going Gold in Sweden.

Photocredit: Tom Outram

The award-winning string ensemble LGT Young Soloists (sponsored by LGT Private Banking) consists of highly talented young soloists aged 13 to 23 from over 20 nations. Since its founding in 2013 by Alexander Gilman, the ensemble has become one of the leading and most traveled youth orchestras. Their unique concept brings together young exceptional talents, performing as soloists with their own orchestra.

After an 18-month Covid break, the LGT Young Soloists made a comeback with the world premiere of a string symphony by Philip Glass in London and Vienna. They have performed at prestigious venues such as the Berlin Konzerthaus, Vienna Musikverein, and the Elbphilharmonie. In 2023, they celebrated their 10th anniversary with a sold-out concert and their US debut at the Kennedy Center. Guest soloists included Alma Deutscher and Esther Yoo.

The LGT Young Soloists released their first album with Sony Music/RCA Red Seal in 2015, becoming the first youth orchestra in the world to do so. Since then, they have released several albums, including "Beethoven RECOMPOSED" (Naxos), which was internationally praised, and "Nordic Dream" (2018), nominated for the Opus Klassik. Other albums include "Russian Soul" (2017) and "Italian Journey" (2015).

Sven Kuntze is an award-winning political journalist. He studied sociology, psychology and history at the University of Tübingen. He worked as a TV reporter for WDR from Bonn, New York, Washington and Berlin. From 1995 he presented the ARD Morgenmagazin and then worked as a capital city correspondent in Bonn and Berlin. Today Sven Kuntze works as an author. His TV documentaries have won several awards, including the German Television Prize. His book “Altern wie ein Gentleman (Aging like a Gentleman) was on the Spiegel bestseller list for months. He is currently working on "Einigt Euch" (Come to an agreement) - a book about compromise. Sven Kuntze is married to Inka Schneider. They live in Berlin and Hamburg.

The Friedmann-Hahn Gallery in Charlottenburg is a place where contemporary art not only captivates the viewer visually but also emotionally. For 20 years, the gallery has been presenting works that blend a keen sense of current trends with craftsmanship. The focus of the collection is on figurative painting, where art-historical traditions such as still life are translated into the language of the present. Photography is also used as a creative tool to open up new perspectives. The portfolio is further enriched by outstanding sculptors and artists from the Urban Art scene. The gallery currently represents twenty international artists whose works are showcased in solo and group exhibitions as well as at national and international art fairs.

The Friedmann-Hahn Gallery is a place of dialogue, where art is not only viewed but also discussed and experienced. Through regular openings, artist talks, and events, the gallery promotes interaction between art and the public, creating a space where art comes alive.

Alexander Friedmann-Hahn is a gallerist driven by passion and conviction. Since founding his gallery 20 years ago, he has dedicated himself to presenting and supporting artists whose works shape the present. He is especially committed to artists who bridge traditional craftsmanship and modern expression with their work. When Alexander Friedmann-Hahn is convinced of an artist's unique talent, he embarks on a collaborative journey with them—one that is built on trust and mutual respect.

With his dedicated team, supported by Dana Brandstetter, Friedmann-Hahn places great emphasis on personal and effective mediation. He makes it his mission to not only present artworks but also explain their creative processes, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of art. Over the past 20 years, the Friedmann-Hahn Gallery has not only built a loyal circle of friends and collectors but has also become well-known on the international art scene. For the past 10 years, the gallery has regularly exhibited on the MS Europa and Europa 2, viewing this platform as an exciting addition to its program. Many of the ship's guests have become loyal collectors over the years.