In the Theaterplatz of Weimar, the pioneer event of Artfest commenced
The Art Festival Weimar, the largest contemporary arts festival in Eastern Germany, is set to begin on Wednesday, marking a significant cultural event in the region.
Located in the heart of Weimar, the festival's pavilion on Theaterplatz has reopened and serves as the festival's hub. Designed in 2019 by visual artist Knut Klaßen, the pavilion offers daily information about the festival's program, "Courage to live."
This year, the festival showcases courage, backbone, and stance, with Omar Rajeh, the Lebanese choreographer, opening the event with his large-scale project "Dance People" on Theaterplatz at 6:15 pm. Israeli visual artist Sigalit Landau will also present a video installation in the tower of the former Gau-Forum on Wednesday at 3:30 pm.
The festival highlights new trends and experimental approaches in contemporary art, reflecting the legacy of the Weimar Renaissance—a period in the early 20th century when Weimar was the epicenter of a modernist cultural revolution. The event fosters the continuation of this pioneering spirit by showcasing cutting-edge performances, visual arts, and interdisciplinary practices that resonate with the experimental and political art heritage in Germany’s modern history.
In addition to the main festival, several side events are taking place. For instance, Jakob Ganslmeier and Ana Zibelnik will present a video installation in the Museum Zwangsarbeit at 3:30 pm, their reflection on neo-fascist body cult on TikTok. The "Thuringia Tralala" and "Trara Thuringia" projects will be experienced from August 22, dealing with alternative, newly thought-out or invented songs from and about Thuringia.
The 372nd Onion Market in Weimar has a new stage, new operator, and the first top acts. A village store is also returned to a location in the Weimar countryside.
The festival director, Rolf C. Hemke, emphasized that the idea of the relevance of a festival motto like "Courage to live" would have probably raised eyebrows a few years ago. He underscored the importance of each individual's conscious, courageous action in shaping the future.
Unfortunately, a 92-year-old individual is involved in a groping trial in Weimar, casting a shadow over the cultural celebration.
The Art Festival Weimar embodies and promotes Weimar’s historical role as a nexus of artistic innovation while serving today as the largest contemporary arts festival in Eastern Germany, nurturing ongoing creative exploration and cultural dialogue in a region with a distinguished artistic legacy.
The Art Festival Weimar, in addition to its intentional focus on contemporary art, extends its sphere to encompass home-and-garden, as evidenced by the return of a village store to a location in the Weimar countryside. Furthermore, the festival's pavilion, in the heart of Weimar, offers insights into the lifestyle of the festival, such as the daily information about the festival's program titled "Courage to live."
