Cologne Cathedral Featured on 3sat as Opera Renovation Documented by WDR

Wladimir Kaminer hosts a new 3sat series titled "Kaminer Inside: Kölner Dom," offering an in‑depth look at the Cologne Cathedral’s history, restoration work and daily life. The program, broadcast on 8 August 2026 and available online from mid‑July, follows Kaminer as he meets cathedral officials such as master mason Peter Füssenich, organist Winfried Bönig and archaeologist Ruth Stinnesbeck, highlighting the building’s ongoing preservation and its role as a cultural and spiritual hub for thousands of visitors.

A WDR documentary, "Das Trauerspiel der Kölner Oper – Ein Sanierungs‑Desaster," examines the protracted, multi‑year renovation of the Cologne Opera and adjacent Schauspielhaus. The film details how a project originally budgeted modestly ballooned into a multi‑billion‑euro effort after planning gaps, technical flaws and poor project management caused repeated delays. It also shows the impact on performers and audiences, who have been forced to use temporary venues for years, underscoring the challenges of managing large‑scale cultural‑heritage construction.