The Beethoven Taler are currently sold out.

January 17, 2026

The weather is nice and so I can actually persuade my daughter to take a walk on the Rhine. As we pass the opera, I remember that there is a patisserie on Rheingasse where I once saw something "with Beethoven" - and indeed the shop window is full of "Beethoven products": 'Bonner Beethoven Taler' (pasties), 'Beethoven Reiseproviant' (buttery shortbread) and 'Ludwig Pralinen', all at the foot of a small, golden Beethoven statue. (It is one of over 700 pieces by conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl - here the "Gold Edition" - which he created for an installation on Bonn's Münsterplatz for Beethoven's 250th birthday.)

Unfortunately, the Beethoven Taler are currently sold out and I learn that they will arrive fresh again at the end of January.

January 22, 2026

I walk along the Rhine in the morning to the bridge to Beuel and first discover the sign "Beethoven Parking Garage" and then that there are LED display boards for the parking guidance system in Bonn with the inscription "Beethoven City Bonn" and Beethoven's head. I ask the AI who designed this logo, instead I get the answer: The official and defining slogan of the federal city of Bonn has been since 2009 „Joy. Joy. Joie. Bonn.“. It underscores the city's international orientation and refers to Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". (Small explanation: I am a pedestrian/cyclist and otherwise do not pay attention to signs for drivers.)

January 30, 2026

I was just able to clarify open questions for an upcoming performance and thought: This calls for a celebration! Maybe the Beethoven Taler is available again by now? And of course, I 'sacrificed' myself and tried them for all of us... I will bring some for our trip. (I fear we will have to share a few, as they are quite expensive.)