Gaffel Glass Design Award 2025

The Kölsch glass edition for ART COLOGNE 2025 was created by Maja Funke, student of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM). With her design „Edelweißpiraten 1939–1944 / Gegen Ennui und Faschismus“ (Edelweiss Pirates 1939–1944 / Against ennui and fascism), she sends a strong signal for commemorative culture and civil courage.

The design was inspired by the Ehrenfeld Group, also known as the Steinbrück Group. The resistance movement opposed National Socialism in Cologne in 1944. Its members included youth, so-called Edelweiss Pirates, forced labourers, Jews, deserters and escaped prisoners. Thirteen of them, including their leader Hans Steinbrück, were murdered without a court verdict by the Gestapo on 10 November 1944.

The glass presents a clear graphic design with the caption "Edelweiss Pirates 1939–1944 / Against ennui and fascism" in German. With this, Maja Funke reminds us of the courage of young people who opposed injustice during a time of repression.

Since 2012, students of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) have been designing a Kölsch glass exclusively for ART COLOGNE. For this competition, the Cologne-based private brewery Gaffel donates prize money of 1,111 euros every year. In addition, the winning design will be produced in a limited edition.

The exclusive Kölsch glass, which features an additional relief print for the first time, will be produced in an edition of 1,500 and will be used in selected Cologne restaurants. The special edition can also be ordered in the Gaffel Shop .

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