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Essen's Mayor Honors Theater und Philharmonie Staff at Milestone Celebration

Behind every sold-out show lies years of unseen effort. Essen's mayor shines a light on the people who keep the city's cultural heart beating.

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a crowd, clapping their hands in...
The image shows a group of people standing in front of a crowd, clapping their hands in celebration. On the right side of the image, there is a podium with a microphone on it, and in the background there are chairs, a wall, a banner, and windows. The banner reads "Covid-19 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio".

February 20, 2026

Essen's Mayor Honors Theater und Philharmonie Staff at Milestone Celebration

At an internal anniversary celebration for the Theater und Philharmonie Essen (TUP), Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen honored employees for 15, 25, and 40 years of service on February 2. In his speech, the city's leader emphasized: "Recognizing your dedicated work is a top priority for me—both as Lord Mayor and as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Theater und Philharmonie Essen."

Kufen highlighted the vital role of behind-the-scenes staff, whose contributions are essential to the success of performances: "You deserve to take pride in every round of applause," he stressed. After the challenges of the pandemic, the TUP's venues and divisions have become more than ever a calling card for Essen and beyond.

"Performing arts can do even more: they bring our urban community together," the Lord Mayor underscored, emphasizing the institution's social significance. In closing, Thomas Kufen thanked the anniversary celebrants on behalf of the entire city and wished them "a wonderful second half of the 2025/2026 season, with sold-out shows."

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