Kiki Fehlauer
A Place of Cultural Identity
Like her husband and many of her friends, Kiki Fehlauer is a big fan of the Elbphilharmonie and regularly attends concerts there. The Hamburg native still vividly remembers her first performance in October 2017, featuring symphonies by Gustav Mahler: “Even the walking into the hall had a special effect on me, and inside, I was captivated by the tranquility, the acoustics, and the unique atmosphere.” By then, the concert hall, which opened in January 2017 and whose construction was co-financed by the Kühne Foundation, had already established itself as a new landmark of the Hanseatic city – a glass crystal atop an old brick warehouse in the heart of Hamburg’s harbor, its facade reflecting the sky and the city. “The Elbphilharmonie embodies openness, self-confidence, and curiosity. It’s an incredibly good fit for Hamburg and makes us Hamburgers very proud,” enthuses the owner and managing director of the Süllberg Hotel, who is also actively involved in social causes in her hometown.
During her visits to the Elbphilharmonie, she also gets to know the people who ensure the smooth operation of the concert hall. Their professional, dedicated, and warm manner impresses her time and again, and after one season, she knows for sure: she and her husband want to actively support the Elbphilharmonie as patrons. Kiki Fehlauer has had a strong passion for art since her youth; she studied at the Alsterdamm Art School in Hamburg and was herself part of the art scene. She is particularly captivated by the interplay of art and music. “Art encourages reflection, while music, especially singing, creates an immediate connection and emotional intensity. Both allow me to pause in my daily life, to be moved, and to discover new perspectives,” she says. That’s one reason why she’s so fascinated by how naturally quality and openness come together at the Elbphilharmonie – architecturally, acoustically, and in its programming: “As a place that celebrates and promotes culture, it strengthens Hamburg’s cultural identity and has an impact far beyond the city limits. Because culture creates space for encounters, shared experiences, and mutual understanding.”
“Art encourages reflection, while music, especially singing, creates an immediate connection and emotional intensity.”
Kiki Fehlauer
A Magnet for Music and Architecture Lovers

The Kühne Foundation co-financed the construction of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and also supported its preliminary concert operations from 2012. In 2017, it supported not only the two opening concerts but also the subsequent multi-week opening festival. From 2014 to 2020, the Kühne Foundation was the main sponsor of the International Music Festival, which has since established itself on the European cultural calendar and enriches the cultural life of the Hanseatic city thanks to its diversity. In 2021, the Kühne Foundation expanded its partnership with the Elbphilharmonie and has since been involved as a principal sponsor.

Rahel Schöni

Prof. Dr Arne Heinold

Tobias Kratzer & Bjarke Ingels

