Cem Özdemir attends Bayreuth Festspiele with younger wife Flavia Zaka

The 150th‑anniversary Bayreuth Festspiele opened on 26 July 2026 with a star‑filled red‑carpet ceremony. Green Party leader Cem Özdemir, 60, appeared arm‑in‑arm with his 40‑year‑old wife, Canadian lawyer Flavia Zaka, whom he married on 14 February 2026 in Tübingen. Özdemir wore a classic black suit and tie, while Zaka attracted attention in a shoulder‑free, pink evening gown.

Other senior politicians were present, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, former Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavarian Minister‑President Markus Söder, each noted for their own striking outfits. In his opening speech Merz criticised composer Richard Wagner’s antisemitism, saying Wagner’s legacy “exemplifies both the admirable and the questionable aspects of German cultural history.” The festival, one of Germany’s most prestigious cultural events, regularly draws political and celebrity guests.

The appearance highlighted both the personal milestone of Özdemir and Zaka’s recent marriage and the festival’s role as a high‑profile stage for German political figures.