Burk Mertens

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Burk Mertens (born March 27, 1950 in Mönchengladbach ; † October 16, 2004 in Cologne ) was a German radio presenter and carnivalist .

Live and act

Mertens had initially worked in a PR company before he was significantly involved in setting up the local radio station from 1990 onwards. His live performances became so well known that parts of the press referred to him as "The Voice of Cologne". For many years he played a key role in shaping the development of young journalists in the city.

In addition to his radio work, Mertens moderated carnival sessions , and the WDR hired him to comment on carnival parades . For many years Mertens was a man of letters and chairman of the meeting of the Cologne-based carnival society Fidele Zunftbrüder .

Mertens was a member of the CDU, but according to media reports, he enjoyed recognition across party lines.

Mertens died on October 16, 2004 of a virus infection as a result of a heart transplant in Cologne University Hospital . A donor heart, which he had to wait a long time for, had been implanted six weeks earlier.

reception

Political scientist Frank Überall praised that Mertens had managed to “manage the balancing act” between various competing media and political currents in Cologne as well as between cheerful and serious topics. Although he was “a Cologne carnivalist through and through”, he was also able to implement serious topics in a journalistic way. The former mayor of Cologne, Fritz Schramma, praised Mertens as an “excellent local reporter”.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ RP ONLINE: The 'Kolibris' will perform in the multi-purpose hall: Both benefit concerts are safe home games. Retrieved September 9, 2017 .
  2. ↑ A soulful farewell to presenter Burk Mertens . In: Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger . ( ksta.de [accessed on September 9, 2017]).
  3. ↑ Frank Überall: Respect from everyone . In: the daily newspaper . ( taz.de [accessed on September 9, 2017]).
  4. ↑ NORBERT RAMME: “The voice of Cologne” has fallen silent forever . In: Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger . ( ksta.de [accessed on September 9, 2017]).
personal data
SURNAME Mertens, Burk
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German radio presenter and carnivalist
DATE OF BIRTH March 27, 1950
PLACE OF BIRTH Mönchengladbach
DATE OF DEATH October 16, 2004
Place of death Cologne