BOTIN
The angry email to a coworker. The conciliatory message to a father. The secret love letter. Words that were written but never sent—until now.
With BOTIN—The Archive for Unsent Messages—a special space for the unsaid will open in the summer of 2026. Last year alone, nearly 100 unsent messages were collected via analog and digital mailboxes. The result is a touching, honest, and at times surprising archive: messages to ex-partners, parents, neighbors, teachers, prosecutors—and even to extraterrestrials. The shortest message consists of two words; the longest, three typewritten pages. The oldest dates back to 1993.
“Dear ex-wife, I’m sorry for what I did to you. I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m sorry for sleeping with you again.”—Anonymous—
In a performative reading featuring three actors and a musician, selected messages are brought to life through sound. What has remained hidden until now becomes audible. Between humor and pain, remorse and longing, a polyphonic panorama of human relationships unfolds.
The audience becomes the proxy recipients—and perhaps even the sponsors—of a message that strikes closer to home than expected.
Everyone is warmly welcome.
DATES
July 11, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | As part of the “Miteinander” program at Neumarkt, Cologne; free admission
October 13, 2026 I 7:30 p.m., duration approx. 1 hour I Interim, Central Library, Hohe Str. 68–82, 50667 Cologne
December 15, 2026 I 7:30 p.m., duration approx. 1 hour I Literaturhaus, Großer Griechenmarkt 39, 50676 Cologne
BOTIN is a production by Drama Köln and Un-Label.
In cooperation with the Cologne City Library, the Literaturhaus Köln, and the “Neumarkt Miteinander” project.
With BOTIN—The Archive for Unsent Messages—a special space for the unsaid will open in the summer of 2026. Last year alone, nearly 100 unsent messages were collected via analog and digital mailboxes. The result is a touching, honest, and at times surprising archive: messages to ex-partners, parents, neighbors, teachers, prosecutors—and even to extraterrestrials. The shortest message consists of two words; the longest, three typewritten pages. The oldest dates back to 1993.
“Dear ex-wife, I’m sorry for what I did to you. I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m sorry for sleeping with you again.”—Anonymous—
In a performative reading featuring three actors and a musician, selected messages are brought to life through sound. What has remained hidden until now becomes audible. Between humor and pain, remorse and longing, a polyphonic panorama of human relationships unfolds.
The audience becomes the proxy recipients—and perhaps even the sponsors—of a message that strikes closer to home than expected.
Everyone is warmly welcome.
DATES
July 11, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | As part of the “Miteinander” program at Neumarkt, Cologne; free admission
October 13, 2026 I 7:30 p.m., duration approx. 1 hour I Interim, Central Library, Hohe Str. 68–82, 50667 Cologne
December 15, 2026 I 7:30 p.m., duration approx. 1 hour I Literaturhaus, Großer Griechenmarkt 39, 50676 Cologne
BOTIN is a production by Drama Köln and Un-Label.
In cooperation with the Cologne City Library, the Literaturhaus Köln, and the “Neumarkt Miteinander” project.
Dates
Good to know
Price info
€19.00
Assistant has free admission
Payment methods
Entrance Free
Eligibility
Suitable for any Weather
Target Group Teenager
Target Group Adult
Target Group Family
Target Group the Elderly
for Groups
for Class
for familys
for individual guests
More information
For more detailed information about accessibility at each venue (e.g., wheelchair access, assistance needs, accessible restrooms, etc.), please refer to the event details or contact us for more information.
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