Margrit Harting's 80th birthday: cultural highlight and generous donation

Volksbildungswerk Espelkamp e.V. is delighted and grateful for a donation totalling 50,000 euros. This was presented by Margrit Harting, Senior Director of the HARTING Technology Group, on the occasion of her 80th birthday and is intended to benefit cultural diversity in the region.

The promotion of culture in Espelkamp is particularly close to her heart: this became clear once again when Margrit Harting invited both employees and friends to a festive matinee at the Neues Theater Espelkamp to celebrate her 80th birthday in February. The theatre shone in particular splendour as the morning turned into a true feast for the senses - crowned by an exquisite concert by the Junge Philharmonie Köln under the direction of renowned conductor Volker Hartung.

The orchestra, known for its outstanding young talents from all over the world, presented a tailor-made programme according to the wishes of the jubilarian - including works by Johann Strauss jr, Jacob Gade, Jaques Offenbach and Carl Maria v. Weber. Particularly noteworthy were the virtuoso solo performances by individual musicians, which once again emphasised the exceptional quality and world class of the ensemble.

The first-class catering by the Käfer company, which provided culinary highlights with delicious finger food, took care of the physical well-being. The festive atmosphere was further enchanted by a special surprise: balloons raining down from the ceiling caused astonished eyes, beaming faces and great joy among all the guests.

Enthusiastic and deeply moved by the musical performance, Margrit Harting spontaneously announced that she would invite the Junge Philharmonie to Espelkamp for an annual New Year's concert from now until the end of her life.

"Culture enriches our lives and strengthens cohesion," emphasised Margrit Harting. "With this donation, I would like to help ensure that Espelkamp remains a place of cultural diversity in the future and in this way brings joy and community."

The Volksbildungswerk would like to thank the jubilarian for her many years of commitment and renewed support. The gesture is a further sign of the Harting family's deep connection to their homeland. "We are very happy to comply with our honorary chairwoman's request for an ambitious programme," says Bärbel Brandt, deputy chairwoman of the association, who is also responsible for programme planning. "This will enable the Volksbildungswerk to revitalise the music section, which has often had to be put on hold in previous seasons for financial reasons." In addition to the New Year's concert on 22 February 2026 with the Junge Philharmonie Köln, audiences in Espelkamp can also look forward to an operetta production in the coming season. To celebrate Johann Strauss' 200th birthday, the Cologne Chamber Opera will perform the operetta "Die Fledermaus" at the Espelkamp theatre on 17 April 2026. The local big band "Big Brass Maschine" from Rinteln under the direction of Daniel Ellermann, which was already engaged last year, completes the circle of musical offerings for the coming theatre season. "This means that we will be presenting three very different musical offerings in the New Theatre next season," Bärbel Brandt anticipates the programme presentation, which is scheduled for the end of May, and announces that this "music trio" can be booked as a package under the title "Spotlight: Music" at reduced rates in the coming season.