Hugo Egon Balder about Cologne: The city is a disaster!

Hugo Egon Balder about Cologne: The city is a disaster!

On March 17, 2025, the moderator and entertainer Hugo Egon Balder commented critically about his former hometown Cologne. The native West Berlin, who lived in the cathedral city for more than 30 years, describes Cologne as a "disaster". According to Balder, many Cologneers share this negative opinion, especially when it comes to the architecture of the city, which he calls "garbage". Balder will be 75 years old on March 22, 2025 and is known for his shows such as "Awesome wrong" and "Tutti Frutti".

With a strong tone, the entertainer not only criticizes the structural design, but also emphasizes the people who live in Cologne. "The people in Cologne are great. But the city is a disaster," said Balder. This ambivalent view reflects a deeper discussion about the urban buildings and their aesthetic qualities.

criticism of the Cologne architecture

The question of architecture in Cologne is not new and always ensures controversy. In the 1960s and 1970s, brutalist buildings shaped the cityscape, which still polarized today. This includes, for example, the University of Music and Dance, which with its mixture of large colored areas and concrete is an example of the zeitgeist at that time. The university and city library, built between 1964 and 1967, is also perceived by some as inconspicuous and not appealing.

A striking example of brutal architecture is the Ebertplatz, which was designed in the 1970s. The controversial design of the square and the associated water kinetic plastic "Nagelbrunnen" by Wolfgang Göddertz are constantly criticized and raise questions about the identity and attractiveness of the urban area. It is this type of urban design that Balder abatters as "garbage" and which he does not consider to be successful.

Balder now lives in Hamburg, where he has been a partner of a pub for 15 years and produces his own television shows there. Nevertheless, he often visits Cologne thanks to his daughter who lives there and to continue the records of "brilliantly wrong". This connection to the city remains, even if its views about the structural conditions are clear and unmistakable.

The debate about architecture in Cologne is more than just a personal opinion. It reflects a general dissatisfaction and leaves space for a deeper examination of urban development. Balder embodies a voice that praises both the positive aspects of the Cologne population and formulates the criticism of urban design loudly.