The German term "Pate" has three rather different meanings. Firstly, it refers to a child's godfather or godmother; secondly, it's the equivalent of the traditional godfather in Mafia families or Mafia movies; and thirdly, there are the "Paten"– the patrons – who make such a special and highly personal contribution to young.euro.classic.

These prominent patrons lend their names to the festival and to the orchestra of their choice. In a brief address before each concert begins, they present their own personal view on the evening's featured country, the music and its musicians – or the overwhelming worldwide fascination of classical music. They, more than anybody else, represent the political objective of our festival: enabling people to better understand and respect each other!

Well-known celebrities as the tv-presenters Mareile Höppner and Luzia Braun, the actors Ursula Buschhorn, Sandra Nedeleff and Leonard Lansink, the editor in chief of the ZEIT Giovanni di Lorenzo or the head of the Federation of German Trade Unions Michael Sommer will present „their“ orchestra on stage of the Konzerthauses.