Gisbert Baltes, prominent WDR carnival moderator, dies at 75

Gisbert Baltes, a long-time moderator and editor for the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), has died at the age of 75 following a long, serious illness.

Baltes was a central figure in broadcasting the Cologne Carnival to a national audience. He was widely recognized for his signature opening phrase during ARD live reports, “Hier ist Köln, hier ist der Alter Markt!” He served as both a moderator and responsible editor for many years, overseeing the proclamation of the Cologne Carnival's “Dreigestirn” (triumvirate) at the Gürzenich.

Beyond carnival coverage, Baltes contributed to various WDR programs, including “Klingendes NRW” and the “Närrische Hitparade.” WDR entertainment chief Karin Kuhn described him as a “guarantor for successful entertainment programming from North Rhine-Westphalia,” noting his humor and expertise. The Cologne Carnival Festival Committee also expressed its grief, thanking him for helping transport the Cologne way of life to all of Germany.