Organizer Information
Levve Un Levve Losse e. V. – Freundeskreis Marie-Luise Nikuta & Förderkreis Kölnischen Liedgutes is a nonprofit association founded in 2021 in Cologne, Germany. The organization is dedicated to preserving Cologne’s musical heritage and honoring the legacy of Marie-Luise Nikuta (1938–2020), a prominent singer and composer in Cologne Carnival. Nikuta was known for promoting tolerance, integration, diversity, and acceptance, as well as supporting the queer community. The association played a key role in the initiative that led to the official naming of the Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz at Hahnentorburg in 2025.
Title & Description
Ideas Competition for the Design of Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz
Levve Un Levve Losse e. V. invites artists, designers, architects, students, and interdisciplinary teams to submit creative and feasible concepts for the artistic and spatial enhancement of the Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz at Hahnentorburg in Cologne.
The aim is to create a lasting memorial and public meeting place that commemorates Marie-Luise Nikuta while reflecting the values associated with her life and work: tolerance, diversity, integration, and joie de vivre. The central theme is “Levve, un levve losse” (“Live and let live”), Nikuta’s life motto and the title of one of her best-known songs. The concept should communicate this message as a connecting principle across cultures and religions.
Proposals may address a monument or sculpture, ground design, planting and greenery, lighting or sound elements, information or interactive installations, or an integrated design for the entire square. The organizers particularly welcome visually distinctive concepts that encourage people to spend time at the site, interact with it, photograph it, and share its message beyond Cologne.
The proposed design should be realistic to implement in public space and comply with the relevant requirements of the City of Cologne. As a guideline, the eventual realization should be feasible within an estimated budget of €100,000–€150,000.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Sculpture & Monument
- Public Art
- Installation Art
- Architecture
- Urban Design
- Landscape / Green Design
- Light & Sound Art
- Interactive Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
Eligibility
The competition is open to natural and legal persons, including:
- Artists
- Designers
- Architects
- Students
- Interdisciplinary teams
Up to two concepts per individual or team may be submitted.
Jury members and their relatives, as well as board members and members of Levve Un Levve Losse e. V., are excluded from participation.
Program Benefits & Awards
The competition offers a total of €5,000 in prize money:
- 1st Prize: €2,500 — main prize and recommendation for implementation to the City of Cologne
- 2nd Prize: €1,500 — recognition prize
- 3rd Prize: €1,000 — development/support prize
The winning concept may form the basis for a future permanent memorial at the Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz. Any actual realization of the winning design will require a separate contractual agreement.
The organizers intend to work with the City of Cologne to develop the future memorial. Estimated realization costs are expected to reach the six-figure range and are planned to be funded through donations and sponsorship partnerships.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted digitally as a PDF by email to: ausschreibung@fkmln.koeln
Maximum file size: 20 MB
Key Dates
- Competition announced: 25 July 2026
- Deadline for submitting questions by email: 31 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 11 November 2026
- Jury meeting and decision: 30 November 2026
- Winners announced and public presentation event: December 2026
The exact date and location of the December presentation will be announced after the winners are published.
Location
Marie-Luise-Nikuta-Platz at Hahnentorburg, Rudolfplatz, Cologne, Germany
Additional Details
The competition focuses on the creation of a public-facing, permanent commemorative space, rather than simply an autonomous artwork. Submissions should therefore demonstrate both artistic quality and practical feasibility.
The proposed concept should visibly or conceptually engage with “Levve, un levve losse” and the values associated with Marie-Luise Nikuta. A literal use of the phrase is not required, but the underlying message should be integrated into the concept, including an awareness of different cultures and religions.
Evaluation will consider thematic quality (30%), creativity and artistic expression (25%), feasibility in public space (20%), relationship to the site and suitability as a meeting/photo location (15%), and overall presentation and clarity (10%).
Copyright remains with the participants. By submitting, applicants grant the organizer a non-exclusive right to publicly present the work, use it in publications and press materials, and share it with the City of Cologne in connection with the square’s development. Any implementation requires a separate agreement.