Lausitz Festival brings Shakespeare and Krabat to the stage

At the Lausitz Festival, artists from all over the world will once again transform the region into one big stage. The festival (August 24 to September 14) offers dance, theater and concerts as well as staged readings. The events often take place in unusual venues - including old factories, churches and a former mine. Some of the plays were staged especially for the festival.

It is not just about making the region "a location for renewable energies, but that the heart, the soul must also be addressed," Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) told the German Press Agency before the program presentation in the Saxon state representation.

"The message is clear," said State Chancellery Director Kathrin Schneider (SPD). "Lusatia is changing. It is interesting, cosmopolitan and full of surprises." Ticket sales for the 30 or so events in southern Brandenburg and eastern Saxony have begun.

Kretschmer "must go to Krabat"

The festival will open with a world premiere in the world's oldest briquette factory in Domsdorf, which is now a technical monument. The text of the play "Sonnet Factory" is based on sonnets by the poet William Shakespeare. "A particularly magical place awaits us," said Austrian author Michael Sturminger, who directed the play.

"Othello/The Strangers", also by Shakespeare, is making a comeback. As in the previous year, the play will be performed in a former glass factory in Weißwasser, staged by the young director Marcel Kohler. In Görlitz, Berlin composer Marius Felix Lange will bring the famous Sorbian legend to the stage with the family opera "Krabat". Kretschmer would also like to see the play. "I have to see Krabat," he said, looking at the program. "Completely new production, spectacular."

Birthday concert for star composer

One of the musical highlights of the festival is the birthday concert for Estonian star composer Arvo Pärt. On his 90th birthday, visitors to Görlitz will be able to listen to his works. The concert will be streamed live across Europe. A song recital with singer Ute Lemper is planned in Bautzen to commemorate the world-famous composer Kurt Weill. He would have been 125 years old this year.

The Lausitz Festival is taking place for the sixth time, this year under the motto "unsbewusst". According to the organizers, it is intended to focus on the "we" and the community.