For the 27th time, the Old Town will be transformed into an open stage for international sounds, musical encounters and cultural exchange. Artists from different parts of the world present a varied program of klezmer, world music, folk, reggae and modern crossover sounds - as always, free of charge and outdoors.
Friday, May 29
The Finnish quartet "Uusikuu", led by singer and composer Laura Ryhänen, will kick off the festival at 6 pm. With a mixture of Nordic tango, humor, melancholy and spirited rhythms, the formation ensures an atmospheric start to the festival.
During the changeover break, "TicoTico" entertains the audience with a varied repertoire of modern klezmer music, tango melodies, chansons, film music and jazzy elements.
From around 8.30 pm, "Gankino Circus" takes over the stage. The four musicians combine virtuoso live music with quirky humor, bizarre stories and a rousing stage performance.
Saturday, May 30
On Saturday at 5 pm, the well-known clarinettist Helmut Eisel returns to Klesmerplatz. Together with his formation "Helmut Eisel & Brass" , he combines klezmer music with Saarland sounds and international jazz influences.
The "Ben Waldraff Band" will then perform during the break. The young musicians present honest, catchy songs with a lot of enthusiasm and charm.
Adjiri Odametey , one of the most important representatives of modern African world music, follows at around 7 pm. His compositions combine traditional West African elements with contemporary influences.
Andrew Murphy and band will conclude the Saturday evening with "A Tribute to the Legends of Reggae". Visitors can expect a musical journey through 50 years of reggae history.
Sunday, May 31
Sunday starts at 1 p.m. with the "Sölter Kinder", who have been an integral part of the festival for many years and create a cheerful atmosphere with their children's choir.
From 1.30 pm, the international trio "LUMAÏO" will present a modern sound between world music and contemporary soundscapes.
The street music duo "Lina Bó" will follow at around 3 pm, combining German-language folk pop with influences from all over the world.
To round off the festival, the band "Tone Fish" will take to the stage at around 5 pm. The group has been delighting audiences for years with a varied folk and world music program.
The history of the Salzgitter Klesmer
The festival recalls the tradition of the so-called Salzgitteraner Klesmer - wandering musicians who traveled from Salzgitter all over the world in the 19th century. While musicians from the region played on international stages back then, today artists from all over the world come to Salzgitter-Bad to celebrate music and cultural diversity together.
The term "klezmer" originally refers to the traditional instrumental festive music of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. In Salzgitter, on the other hand, the term "Klesmer" stands for the historical Wandermusikanten of the region. It is precisely this combination of history, cultural diversity and modern world music that makes the festival unique to this day.
