Evoke 2025
15th - 15th august 2025 | Cologne, AbenteuerhallenKALK
International Festival for Digital Art & Culture in Cologne – UNESCO Cultural Heritage Live
From August 15-17, 2025, the AbenteuerHallenKALK in Cologne will serve as the epicenter of the international “demoscene.” At the 26th edition of Evoke, the traditional festival for digital art and culture, around 500 demo artists from around the world will present their latest audiovisual works – a vibrant tradition recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Organizer Digitale Kultur e.V. expects the event to once again serve as one of the most important meeting points of the European demoscene.
UNESCO Cultural Heritage Meets Digital Technology
The demoscene combines programming, music, graphics, and animation into a unique art form. Demos are typically several minutes long, software-generated animation sequences that combine music and visual effects, calculated and displayed in real-time. The UNESCO’s German national inventory includes the demoscene as the first digital art form in its history – recognition granted in 2021 that underscores the cultural significance of the demoscene.
World Premieres on Historical and Modern Platforms
For the 26th edition of Evoke, Digitale Kultur e.V. expects over 100 world premieres of new works. The unique feature: artworks are created not only on modern PCs but also on historical home computers like the Commodore 64, classic gaming consoles, or even custom-developed hardware. These technical limitations become creative challenges and make each work a special experience.
On Saturday, August 16, artists will present their productions in 13 different competition categories. The audience serves as the jury and votes for the best works. The award ceremony marks the festive conclusion of the festival on Sunday afternoon.
More Than Just Competition
The festival offers an extensive supporting program alongside the main competitions: technical presentations illuminate innovations and cultural aspects of the demoscene, while seminars provide insights into production techniques. DJ sets by scene luminaries provide the musical backdrop for the three-day event.
Evoke has been held annually since 1997 and ranks among the oldest still-existing demoparties in the world. The festival has developed into one of the most important meeting points of the international demoscene and regularly attracts visitors from across Europe and beyond who are passionate about the intersection of technology and art.
Press Release
The press release for Evoke 2025 as published on our mailing list