Colors of Leipzig - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Leipzig is a regular venue for one of the youngest and most unusual events - the Festival of Gothic culture, Wave-Gotik-Treffen. It is the largest event of its kind; each year it attracts thousands of fans of this widespread subculture, coming from all over the world. Festival lasts for four days; according to statistics, the last few years, the number of participants was more than 30 thousand people.

During the festival, you can find a huge number of people in fancy clothes on the streets and in parks. The festival always hosts music concerts and other events that are related to the culture in one way or another. The first festival has been held in 1987; it wasn’t held in Leipzig, but Potsdam. The first event was informal, so it was visited by only a few hundred people.

Wave-Gotik-Treffen has gained an official status only in 1992, since then it was held only in Leipzig and began attracting more and more foreign visitors from year to year. Many people come to the festival to communicate with peers and impress people in some original way. For others, the event has become a family tradition. You can see a lot of couples with young children at the festival. Kids, as well as their parents, are dressed in amazing outfits, fully reflecting the specifics of gothic culture. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The festival is also interesting for regular travelers, because participation in it is a unique chance to visit the beautiful medieval fair, dark and captivating theatrical performances, music concerts and interesting seminars. It should be noted that special ‘Gothic’ tours are held within the framework of special events; main attractions for devotees of the subculture are ancient cemeteries.

As festival became an official event of international scale, the preparation for it is held in a special way. Local residents have long been accustomed to the unusual event, so guests of the festival are taken very friendly and with a share of curiosity. It is worth noting that Goths arriving to the festival are also very friendly, many of them are willingly taking pictures with tourists and townspeople, and are proud to show their stylish attributes. Unusual holiday has become an integral part of the city’s cultural life and gave Leipzig even more mystery and charm.

No less interesting is the festival dedicated to classical music called Bachfest Leipzig. It is held at the beginning of the first summer month and lasts two weeks. On these days, Leipzig's most famous religious attraction - Thomaskirche - becomes the main venue for wonderful music concerts with the participation of chamber orchestras performing classical works of genius. The place wasn't chosen by chance - the thing is that the great composer spent the last 27 years of his life creating music here. The festival is joined by other local cultural institutions such as theaters, concert halls, churches where symphonic music concerts are also organized.

It is worth noting that Bachfest is not the only Leipzig's festival dedicated to classical music, however, the most famous one. Nevertheless, other musical events deserve tourist attention as well. For example, the International Mendelssohn Festival, which takes place in early September, gathers hundreds of eminent classical musicians who not only perform chamber music but also conduct master classes for musical instruments (violin, cello, piano). All happens in Gewandhaus.

Of great interest to hundreds of travelers is the Leipziger Jazztage, which is held in early October at various cultural institutions - from concert halls and clubs to the Leipzig Opera House. Not only eminent jazz and blues musicians but also those playing in other related genres like soul, rock, and funk attend it as participants. The early March in Leipzig is the time for another interesting festival called Honky Tonk. At this time, clubs, bars, and restaurants welcome music bands, which entertain guests with live music. It is worth noting that everyone can find an institution to their liking - at the fest, one can listen to all genres, from incendiary electronic music to heavy metal.

The Highfield Festival that is traditionally held in Großpösna in mid-August is almost entirely dedicated to indie rock. Among former headliners of the fest are legendary Die Ärzte, Green Day, Placebo, Foo Fighters, as well as Die Toten Hosen. It must be said that this one is the main rock event in the entire region after Wave-Gotik-Treffen. Well, not only music festivals of various directions are held in Leipzig. Cinema fans will be happy to attend an event called DOK Leipzig, which is held in late October or early November. It is focused on documentary and animated films, which are available for watching in local cinemas at this time.