Kaftan's artistic commitment extends far beyond Bonn. He has conducted numerous top-class concerts for and in Bonn. It is important to him to introduce children and young people to culture. As examples of his artistic work, the mayor cited the project "Beethoven Moves!", an international art and education project on Ludwig van Beethoven's fifth symphony; the "Hofkapelle" concert series with works by Beethoven that the young Beethoven probably played in Bonn, but which have not been played for over 200 years; the "Pur" concert series, in which Beethoven's symphonies are played in conjunction with explanations of the works, or concerts at unusual (substitute) venues such as Base Camp, with the Bläck Fööss at Pützchens Markt or with Brings in front of Cologne Cathedral.

Dirk Kaftan is also socially committed. He has taken over the sponsorship for the work of the "Kultur-Tafel" Bonn association, which provides seats to Bonn residents who cannot afford to attend theaters, concerts, dance and sporting events, thus enabling cultural participation for all Bonn residents. During the coronavirus pandemic, he organized concerts in front of nursing homes and children's homes as well as digital concerts for the seriously ill, for example, and he personally worked in the city's vaccination center and public order office.

And finally, Dirk Kaftan is committed to sustainability. For example, the Beethoven Orchester Bonn played works related to nature and biodiversity at the 23rd Conference of the Parties of the UN Climate Change Secretariat, and the Beethoven Orchester Bonn was named a Climate Ambassador by the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat. "The award expresses our gratitude for your multifaceted commitment in and for our city," said Katja Dörner, who is the patron of the Old Town Hall association, addressing Dirk Kaftan.

"We are delighted to have found in Dirk Kaftan a dignitary who, with a great deal of esprit and verve, has played a significant and innovative role in shaping and enriching Bonn's cultural and musical life, including volunteer activities," said Dr. Andreas Dartsch, Chairman of the "Old Town Hall" association. The new "Döppekooche-König" 2023 would suit Bonn well, as the award recognizes outstanding commitment to the City of Bonn.

Until 2015, well-known representatives from the world of politics were on the honor roll. The "Döppekooche kings" from 2011 to 2013 were former federal ministers Dr. Peter Ramsauer, Peer Steinbrück and Dr. Guido Westerwelle. In 2014, former Federal Environment Minister Dr. Barbara Hendricks was honoured with the title, and in 2015 the former Deputy Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Sylvia Löhrmann.

In 2016, the Rector of the University of Bonn, Professor Dr. Michael Hoch, was the first representative of a Bonn institution to receive this honor. In 2017, Timotheus Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG, was the first business personality to take center stage. This was followed in 2018 by Dr. Ines Knauber-Daubenbüchel, shareholder and Managing Director of Bonn-based Carl Knauber Holding GmbH & Co KG, in 2019 by the well-known Bonn constitutional lawyer Prof. Dr. Dr. Udo Di Fabio and in 2021/2022 by the former Executive Secretary of the Bonn-based United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Patricia Espinosa.

The Verein zum Erhalt des Alten Bonner Rathauses was founded to support the city of Bonn in modernizing and beautifying its "good room", the Old Town Hall on the market square. The funds donated to the association by its friends and supporters at the annual charity event are used entirely for the preservation of the Old Town Hall.

Further information about the association can be found online at  https://altes-rathaus-bonn.de. (opens in a new tab)