Rudolstadt Festival opens with Austrian focus as folk and world music stars converge on Thuringian town
The 34th Rudolstadt Festival for folk and world music opens Thursday evening with over 140 artists from nearly 40 countries. This year's edition puts Austria in the spotlight and shifts stages due to castle renovations.
A global music gathering
The quiet town of Rudolstadt will again become an international hub for music and culture this weekend. The 34th Rudolstadt Festival, Germany’s largest folk and world music event, runs from Thursday evening through Sunday with around 300 concerts, workshops, exhibitions, talks and film screenings. More than 140 artists from nearly 40 countries are expected, and Austria is this year’s country focus. Performers from the Alpine republic include handpan player Manu Delago, the Burgenland band Idemo and the formation Tanzhausgeiger, blending folk, jazz, pop and experimental sounds.
New stages for an old town
Construction work on Heidecksburg castle has forced the festival to relocate from its traditional venue. New stages are set up at the Schiller Theatre, the Luther Church and in Heinepark, where many performances have been concentrated. A festival spokesperson said the number of concerts has not been cut, but rather packed more tightly into Heinepark.
We haven’t reduced the number of concerts, but concentrated the performances in Heinepark.
Overall, about 30 stages are scattered across the small town. Organizers say this is the largest festival of its kind in Germany and attracted around 90,000 visitors last year.
Parting bows and prizes
English folk legend Blowzabella will play one of its last concerts outside the UK before retiring from touring. On Sunday, the Ruth World Music Prize, endowed with €5,000, goes to German songwriter Dota Kehr. So far, around 19,000 season tickets have been sold, priced at €132 for access to all four days.
