European Youth Festival in Dresden again

For the rescheduled visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Dresden on May 27, there will be a new edition of last year's European Youth Festival "Fête de l'Europe". The event is to take place on Dresden's Neumarkt square. Thousands of young people from Saxony as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and France are once again expected to attend, as the State Chancellery in Dresden announced on Friday. After a delay of almost a year, Macron will address the young people of Europe there.

"The future of our youth lies in Europe," said Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU), according to the press release. It was "a great honor" that Macron would be speaking to young people at the Frauenkirche "and in the heart of Europe". "With the Fête de l'Europe, we want to send a clear signal for understanding, tolerance and cohesion across all borders."

A concert was announced with well-known musicians and bands such as Elif, DJs Bennett and Alle Farben, Clueso and Dresden rapper rémi.fr. The renowned NFM Boys' and Girls' Choir from Warsaw and the youth choir of the Franco-German Romain Rolland High School will also be taking part. Up to 15,000 guests are expected to attend the admission-free event, which is supported by sponsors.

Thousands of young people from Germany and abroad celebrated together on the square in front of the Frauenkirche at the premiere of the Europe Festival in early July 2023. The occasion was also a state visit by the French president to Germany and an announced speech to Europe's youth. Macron then had to postpone the visit at short notice due to unrest in his home country.