Iiris Rapala
I’ve had the pleasure to work woth Volker during a period of 11 years in the context of co-organizing Goa contact festival. I see Volker as the great conductor, who knows exactly how to orchestrate a masterpiece. He has a ability to recognize people’s strenghs and talents and find the right place for everyone, so that they can contribute their unique qualities and engage in a nourishing process. He also has the willigness and the time even in the middle of most stressful event to support people with their needs. His wise insights arise from his ability to see larger frame, and not to get lost in details or drama. He sincerely wants to make people around him shine and rise into their highest potential. Witnessing his determination to focus and pay attention makes me believe that he can go through any obstacle in the process of manifesting his dreams and visions.
Pascal de Lacaze-Duthiers
I worked with Volker Eschmann personally as a co-organizer of many events and as an artist performing at events he produced. My experience with Volker is uniformly positive: he delivers highly professional collaboration, exceptional attention to detail, clear communication, and structured processes grounded in years of experience. Volker brings clarity and direction in complex situations, supports decision-making, and has a consistently positive impact on projects and workflows. He is a team player who is always on top of things, has a keen sense of team composition, and instinctively balances soft and professional skills. He consistently recognizes and supports individual potential with empathy and encouragement. In challenging moments he is 100% reliable and offers creative, resourceful problem-solving. Our collaboration contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth as an event producer and artist. Anyone working with Volker will greatly benefit.
Alicja Dogory Nogami
I had an opportunity to benefit from Volker’s clarity and guidance in my professional and personal processes, that brought me a new perspective and a sense of comfort. From building a community-led social project to managing a house renovation in a couple, Volker’s sensitivity and experience had helped me to realise where I am at, what are the potentials, what might be missing and what are the necessary next steps. He helped me to see what I would not pay attention to on my own and offered me a more structured and holistic view on what I was involved in. As a result of his inputs I’ve achieved a better quality and more satisfaction in my activities – thank you Volker!
Zuzanna Bukowski
Volker has been supporting and motivating me to bring my heartfelt projects to life. His practical expertise in project development within the fields of art and culture is grounded in many years of experience in festival organization, team leadership, and the implementation of social and cultural projects such as “Forgotten Land.”
Volker has a unique talent for bringing people together across different cultural contexts and for creating spaces where deep encounters and long-lasting intercultural friendships can emerge among participants of events, retreats, and festivals in various countries (including India, Portugal, Germany, and others).
As his assistant, I had the opportunity to accompany and support him over a period of four years in a variety of projects (Goa Contact Festival, Contact Gathering Portugal, Body Love Festival, Berlin Contact Festival). I witnessed how he helped other cultural organizations navigate crises while never losing sight of their core vision.
When I was ready to pursue my own projects, I could rely on his thoughtful and consistent guidance. He gave me both the courage and the practical tools to organize my own festivals and retreats. I am very grateful that he continues to support me as a mentor—and now also as a friend.
Shiran Eliaserov
Volker Eschmann and I met in 2011 while working together in his Festival intouch. I was a young choreographer in Berlin ready to burst my ideas into action. Volker recognized my talent and passion for the arts, and supported my early journey as a maker. As we know today as an artist you need to self produce your work, create a solid structure, plan ahead, communicate with your audience.. With his sharpness and long time international experience, Volker knew how to lead me, with a lot of listening and care, to widen my perspective and helped me to translate my vision into action. He could map situations, build strategies and design a remarkable plan for your creation. Till today every session is priceless.
Alina Hoffmann
I took part in Volker’s Production Training last year and gained a great deal from the experience. I felt seen in my strengths and genuinely supported throughout the process.
The regular feedback sessions were incredibly helpful, especially during the ups and downs, offering both guidance and a strong sense of stability in more challenging phases. At the same time, I felt that my need for a free and creative way of working was fully respected and encouraged.
What I particularly appreciate about Volker is his open, experimental approach combined with a grounded and deeply experienced way of working. I’m now grateful to be collaborating with him on a new project close to my heart.
Mona Milius
Working with Volker has been truly enriching and brought our team closer together. With his extensive experience, he has a remarkable ability to anticipate challenges and offer thoughtful, holistic solutions while supporting their implementation.
He knows exactly when to ask the right questions, when to stay persistent, and how to guide you through more intense phases with steady support. Without Volker, we would not have followed through with our project—let alone moved into long-term planning.
Thank you for the inspiring collaboration!