Nibelungen Festival 2024: The Diplomat

Under the title “The Diplomat”, the legendary figure Dietrich von Bern takes centre stage this year.

While the two authors dealt with the consequences of the slaughter at Etzel’s court in “Siegfried’s Heirs”, they now return to the eve of the war. The moment when Dietrich of Bern, knowing that Kriemhild wants revenge, rides towards the Wormsers in order to avert the catastrophe. Whereas Dietrich von Bern was previously more of a minor character, this time he is at the centre of the story. The authors were inspired by the real-life events surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the so far unsuccessful attempts at mediation. Von Bern is a man of war who had to learn the painful lessons of war on the battlefield, including the suicide of his wife. Now the former king is without a country and hires himself out as a wooer for King Etzel, who incidentally does not appear in the play. The object of his desire is Kriemhild. But the warrior realises that the story will not end well. Arriving at the court in Worms, he soon realises that the ghost of Siegfried is omnipresent, while Kriemhild’s uncompromising desire for revenge awakens. Dietrich von Bern must also confront his own demons from the past. Suspecting nothing good, he hopes to prevent something worse from happening. Theories suggest that the legendary figure of Dietrich von Bern is modelled on the historical Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great, who ruled the province of Ravenna. Incidentally, the Bern in the name of the exiled King Dietrich does not stand for the Swiss city, but for the medieval name of the Italian city of Verona, modelled on Ravenna.

With regard to the anti-war approach of the current play, Hagen actor Thomas Loibl explains: “On stage, creative artists can literally act out issues without anyone having to suffer or even die. And, more importantly, theatre can get a discussion going. One that, if you look at it idealistically, may ultimately make a small contribution to Dietrich’s quest for peace.” Director Roger Vontobel underlines the approach with the sentence: “Answers are not the right means in theatre. I like open ends, the perspective of possibility. Because a destruction is also the possibility of a new beginning for another person or another situation. So it’s not just an apocalypse, but a new beginning for a group of people.”

The ensemble

This year’s star is clearly Jasna-Fritzi Bauer. Born in 1989, the actress is best known for her role as detective Liv Moormann in Bremen’s “Tatort”. She is also a welcome guest on the cinema screen. For example, in “About a Girl”, for which she was honoured with the 2015 Bavarian Film Award for “Best Young Actress”. In 2018, she starred alongside Moritz Bleibtreu in the Sebastian Fitzek film adaptation “Abgeschnitten”. Since 30 May, she can also be seen in the Amazon series “Viktor Bringts”. She will spend the next six weeks in Worms.

Aufmerksamkeit erregte sie zudem durch ihr Outing. In einem exklusiven Interview mit Fotostrecke für die Juni-Ausgabe der Vogue. Dort schilderte sie, dass sie jahrelange ihre Beziehung mit der Künstlerin Katharina Zorn und deren gemeinsame Tochter geheim hielten. Mit Katharina Zorn spricht sie auch jeden Dienstag in dem Podcast „Messed up“ auf amüsante Weise über die Untiefen des Internets, die Herausforderungen des Alltags und natürlich den Beruf. In „Der Diplomat“ stellt sie sich der Herausforderung, die von Trauer und Hass zerrissene Kriemhild zu spielen. 

Franz Päzold, who already played King Gunther in the play “hildensaga.ein königinnendrama” directed by Roger Vontobel in 2022, is playing the main role this year, namely Dietrich von Bern. The actor, who was born in Dresden in 1989, has already appeared in numerous TV films and series, for example in “Tatort” and “SOKO” productions. Pätzold has also often appeared on the theatre stage, most notably at the Residenztheater in Munich and the Burgtheater in Vienna. But the Nibelungen Festival seems to have taken a particular liking to him. He favoured Worms over the Salzburg Festival, which would also have been an option for him this summer. The reasons he gave for this were the better pay and the significantly shorter playing time. He explained about his role: “We read Dietrich von Bern as a moral figure because he is convinced of something. But maybe he’s not moral at all, he also has selfish motives.”

The 55-year-old actor Thomas Loibl can be seen in the role of the sinister string-puller of the Burgundian family, Hagen. Loibl is a sought-after film actor and has appeared in front of the camera in recent years in productions as diverse as “Die Wannseekonferenz”, “Jackpot” and most recently in “Tatort”. After a correspondingly long break from the theatre, he is looking forward to returning to the stage. However, Loibl does not see his Hagen as a medieval badass, as he is usually portrayed. For the actor, the character is much more complex. He explained at the press conference: “Why shouldn’t someone like Hagen also be right to preserve the traditional rules and laws in all this current hysteria?”

The director

Swiss director Roger Vontobel, who already directed “Siegfried’s Heirs” in 2018 and whose spectacular Worms production of Ferdinand Schmalz’s “hildensaga” in 2022 also delighted audiences and critics, is once again directing. When you talk to him, you can almost feel the energy and the desire to create art. I asked the director why he keeps devoting himself to the Nibelung myth. Even before he made his first appearance in Worms in 2018, he staged Friedrich Hebbel’s “The Nibelungs”. He explained to me in a friendly, chatty tone: “It’s simply fascinating in itself. I always compare it to “Star Wars”. The universe is, so to speak, unfathomable and huge. The Nibelungs are a conglomeration of stories, of interconnections and always a mirror into our time. The more I study it, the more fascinating I find this universe.” Of course, the name Vontobel also comes with expectations. But do these expectations also create pressure? “There is always pressure! Do people like what I do or not? But the joy prevails. I like to tell stories in a big way and I can do that here in Worms,” says Vontobel, describing how he deals with the pressure. Director Nico Hofmann also has expectations. He justifies the decision to bring the Swiss director to Worms for a third time by saying that Vontobel has a gift for staging impressive images while still keeping the story firmly in focus.

The authors

This is the second visit to Worms by the author duo Feridun Zaimoglu and Günter Senkel after “Siegfried’s Heirs” (2018). The idea of telling the story from Dietrich von Bern’s perspective came from Thomas Laue (Artistic Director of the Nibelungen Festival), as co-author Günter Senkel revealed at the press conference for the play. When asked why they were delving into the Nibelung cosmos again after “Siegfried’s Heirs”, Senkel explained that they found the idea exciting. They also had a guiding principle: “We try to tell the story where there are gaps and that’s how we came across Dietrich von Bern”. In this respect, it was conceivable for them to create another play. In fact, “The Diplomat” is already the author duo’s fourth exploration of the Nibelungs. They previously wrote a play for the Munich Volkstheater in 2015. Most recently, they told Richard Wagner’s “Rheingold” as “Another Story” at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus. Incidentally, this was also staged by director Roger Vontobel. At the press conference, Zaimoglu gave an eloquent performance and read a monologue by Kriemhild. The scene: Siegfried is dead. His body is laid out in a hall, but is still bleeding): “When your murderer steps up to your bier, the blood gushes from your body. You are dead, you should not bleed”. But the mourning widow’s astonishment soon gives way to anger: “Cursed be my clan. Let their souls rot.” Finally, she announces: “I am the dazzling white ghost that roams the chambers”. Not necessarily the best prerequisite for Dietrich von Bern, who is to woo the widow on Etzel’s behalf. We will find out how this courtship ultimately turns out on 12 July, as the play premieres on this day and will then be performed until 28 July.

The cultural programme is of course also worth a visit. There is also a return of a well-known festival name, namely the author Albert Ostermaier. The well-known Munich writer wrote for the festival from 2015 to 2017. He has now written the play “False Gods” for the festival’s cultural programme. Three Norns are at the centre of the play. In Norse mythology, norns are female beings who determine fate, some of whom are said to be descended from gods, others from dwarves or elves. With their eerie demeanour, they comment on the characters’ actions in a cautionary manner before they themselves suspect how they are entangled in the web of fate. In the play, they spin and tighten the threads of life as three goddesses of Norse mythology who divine fate. They weave and knot the plots and relationships of the “Nibelungen” saga in ever new and unexpected ways to create a narrative in which different temporal and stylistic levels permeate each other. Two of the three Norns are played by actresses who are also no strangers to the festival. Dennenesch Zoudé and Wiebke Puls are returning to Worms this year. Wiebke Puls was one of the first to appear at the festival in the play “Brünhild” (2003) in the eponymous role. Dennenesch Zoudé was a member of the ensemble in the play “Gold” in 2016. The third member of the cast is Sophie von Kessel, who is taking part in the festival’s cultural programme for the first time. In parallel to her stage career at renowned German-speaking theatres, the actress has appeared in numerous successful television and cinema productions (“Der Taunuskrimi”, “Ein starkes Team”, “Tatort”). The play is directed by the renowned opera and theatre director Ludger Engels.

Tickets and further information about “The Diplomat” and the Nibelungen Festival can be found here: www.nibelungenfestspiele.de

 

The Worms year of culture and events 2024

I have already pointed out several times in this blog that Worms is rich in culture and history. But history also needs to be lived! With this in mind, there are numerous festivals and cultural events in Worms that are linked to the city’s 2000-year history. In addition to these, let’s say niche events such as “wunderhoeren” or the “SchUM Kulturtage”, there are also numerous events in the city that can delight young and old alike. These include, of course, the largest wine and folk festival on the Rhine, the Backfischfest. Those looking for musical entertainment will be in good hands at Jazz & Joy and those who prefer to learn more about Worms’ wine culture will also find plenty on offer. Below I have put together a small overview of the most important and interesting festivals/events for interested visitors to Worms and conveniently included the corresponding links:

Hollyworms – The long short film night on 13 April in the Mozart Hall in Worms

When the Mozartsaal is transformed into a cinema, passionate film fans know that it can only be Hollyworms. For several hours, the Mozart Hall is dedicated to short films, which in turn know how to inspire with their range. In co-operation with four renowned universities, short films from a wide range of genres will be shown. The short films, some of which have won awards, range from exciting dramas and entertaining comedies to profound films. Between the screenings, a panel discussion moderated by myself will offer insights behind the scenes of film-making.

Admission to Hollyworms is free. It starts at 5 pm.

 

Worms Wine Mile from 18 to 21 April 2024

It goes without saying that wine is an important topic in the third-largest wine-growing municipality. From the end of February to the beginning of November, the “market winegrowers” invite you to enjoy wine on Saturdays in the immediate vicinity of the weekly market. At the end of April, you can stroll along the historic town wall on the wine mile. Along the city wall moat, 20 Worms winegrowers from Worms present high-quality wines. Of course, there will also be plenty to eat and drink. The wine enjoyment is accompanied by musicians who invite you to rock out and sing along on two stages along the wine mile. The mile begins at Parmaplatz, in the immediate vicinity of the Wormser Vinothek, and ends at “Wergers Eck” opposite the Jewish cemetery “Heiliger Sand”. Admission is of course free.

Vino et Musica from 9 to 11 May at the Helmut Kloos winery

Helmut Kloos is a true Worms original. Not only was he the first winegrower in the Nibelungen city to convert his business to organic winegrowing back in the early 1990s, but his name also stands for culture and a mischievous, often quirky sense of humour. You will encounter both during a visit to the popular Vino et Musica farm festival. In addition to the presentation of the 2021 vintage wines, the winegrower offers a varied programme of music ranging from folk and rock to world music on Ascension Day weekend. The programme opens on the public holiday with a wine tasting. On three evenings, the small winery will be transformed into an open-air concert arena. Naturally, small Palatinate and Rhine-Hessian delicacies ranging from hearty to light will be served to accompany all programme items. Those who would like to hear and taste more from Helmut Kloos have the opportunity to do so at the Worms Christmas market during the Advent season. He regularly runs his mulled wine stall there, which is also accompanied by an entertaining programme including an improvised unicorn carousel.

Further information: www.weingut-kloos.de

Worms Whitsun market from 18 to 26 May at the festival Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

www.weingut-kloos.de

Worms Whitsun Market from 18 to 26 May on the fairground

The Worms Whitsun Market is an unconventional hybrid event consisting of a funfair and a trade show. On the fairground section, which is located on the southern half of the fairground, you will find the usual mixture of rides, food stalls, garden restaurants and fairground stalls. Whereas the Whitsun market used to be a trade show, today the focus is on the funfair. Although there are no longer any trade fair tents as there used to be, there is a traders’ mile where primarily regional tradespeople and local organisations present themselves. The THW’s own presentation was met with great interest in this context. Curious visitors will probably also be able to take a look at the equipment used to save lives in the worst-case scenario in 2024. Admission to the merchant mile and the fair is free. While the funfair is open until 11 pm, the trade section closes at 9 pm. Incidentally, even the Worms Whitsun market has a historical background. As the city was granted market rights by Emperor Frederick II back in 1243, the people of Worms were now able to hold a fair for a fortnight after Easter. The market was given its current appearance in 1972.

Info: www.wormser-pfingstmarkt.de

Spectaculum from 10 to 12 May in Wormser Wäldchen

The medieval market, which is held on a green meadow in Wormser Wäldchen, is one of the largest of its kind in southern Germany. Around 20,000 people regularly flock to the city park this weekend to spend time among Roman legionaries, fantasy figures and, of course, knights. For a modest entrance fee, the festival offers a mixture of a merchants’ mile, naturally with medieval products, a jugglers’ market, an open-air festival (there are two stages) and a tent camp for people in costume. In addition, field battles are staged for the public and duels with sword and morning star are fought. Anyone interested in learning more about the way of life in medieval times can find what they are looking for at the various workshops. Most of the programmes are free of charge. Medieval garb is welcome, but not compulsory for this immersion in another world. The programme will be announced in mid-April.

Further information (programme, times, prices, corona rules etc.): https://www.spectaculum-worms.de

 

 

Worms Culture Night at the end of June in the city centre (exact date to be announced)

For Worms’ cultural coordinator Dr David Maier, the Culture Night is the best festival in the city centre, as it is an event organised by Worms residents for Worms residents and visitors. At the opening of the Culture Night, Mayor Stephanie Lohr said with regard to the Nibelungs: “The true treasure of Worms is culture. In this respect, you can find many treasures on this night, or rather evening. The focus is on local artists who present their art in unusual locations throughout the city centre. Whether painting, music, theatre, cinema or other forms of expression, visitors can be sure of a varied programme after a two-year break. This Saturday evening of culture also offers visitors the opportunity to stroll around with a glass of wine in their hand and discover the most beautiful corners of the Nibelungen city centre. The event usually starts at 7 pm. In previous years, visitors have been able to choose between 30 programme items at just as many locations. There should certainly be something for everyone. As there is a charge for the event, a wristband must be purchased in advance at one of the box offices or in advance. This will give you access to all venues. The wristband also allows free admission to the Worms museums during the day. Costing just 12 euros, the wristband is an inexpensive key to the true treasures of Worms.

Info: www.worms-erleben.de/erleben/erleben-und-feiern/veranstaltungen/Kulturnacht/

Nibelungen Festival “The Diplomat” from 12 July to 28 July

Information is still scarce. What is known is that a creative trio is coming together in Worms this year, having already enjoyed great success in 2018 with the play “Siegfried’s Heirs”. Then as now, the author duo Feridun Zaimoglu and Günter Senkel are responsible for the polished words. Swiss director Roger Vontobel, who last brought “hildensaga. ein königinnendrama” to the mighty stage in front of the cathedral in Worms in 2022, guarantees the visually stunning realisation. The theatre director, who has a soft spot for cinema, is known for treating his stage like a screen.

Under the title “The Diplomat”, the legendary figure Dietrich von Bern takes centre stage this year. While the two authors dealt with the consequences of the slaughter at Etzel’s court in “Siegfried’s Heirs”, they are now returning to the eve of the war. The moment when Dietrich of Bern, knowing that Kriemhild wants revenge, rides towards the Wormsers in order to avert the catastrophe. Whereas Dietrich von Bern was previously more of a minor character, this time he is at the centre of the story. The authors were inspired by the real-life events surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the so far unsuccessful attempts at mediation. As an example, Thomas Laue described the image that went around the world when Olaf Scholz sat across from Putin at an oversized table to prevent the war. Something he famously failed to do. Senkel then also described this conflict, diplomatic solutions vs. warmongering, as a primal conflict. The exciting thing about Dietrich von Bern’s character is that, as a former king, he knows the suffering that war can bring to people. Theories suggest that the legendary figure of Dietrich von Bern is based on the historical Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great, who ruled the province of Ravenna. Incidentally, the Bern in the name of the exiled king Dietrich does not stand for the Swiss city, but for the medieval name of the Italian city of Verona, modelled on Ravenna. While Theodoric retained his kingdom, the legendary figure of Dietrich was driven out of his realm and eventually found refuge with the Huns.

In the Song of the Nibelungs, this refuge soon becomes hell. This will also be reflected on stage, as parts of the play are set during the murderous conflict. Director Vontobel, who is completing his triple bill in Worms with this production after “Siegfried’s Heirs” and “Hildensaga.ein königinnendrama”, promised in this context the “darkest Kriemhild” yet seen. His view of the world was no less pessimistic in the conversation. “The world needs a lot of light, but all I see is gloom.” Before the authors presented a small sample of their text, Nico Hofmann concluded in an equally pessimistic tone: “Ask me why we don’t learn anything”. With a view of the warlike goings-on in front of Worms Cathedral, it is perhaps somewhat inappropriate to speak of anticipation. It should certainly be exciting and visually impressive when Vontobel invites the audience on a journey into the darkness. Or will it be hope that triumphs in the end?

Nothing was known about the actors at the time of writing. However, the cast is usually a mixture of well-known actors from film or TV and lesser-known but renowned theatre actors. In the past, greats such as Jürgen Prochnow, Klaus Maria Brandauer and Uwe Ochsenknecht have appeared on the stage in front of Worms Cathedral. The play will be staged by Swiss director Roger Vontobel, who is one of the directing stars of German-language theatre and is well known to Worms residents. He staged “Siegfried’s Heirs” back in 2018 and delighted the press and audience alike. Vontobel is characterised by an opulent visual language that does not shy away from the use of elaborate video technology. For example, he used a targeted video installation to make the awe-inspiring cathedral tremble before the eyes of the audience of “Siegfried’s Heirs”. This year too, Vontobel wants to impress the eye as much as the mind of the audience. Most recently, he wowed the audience with an extravagant water landscape in the production “hildensaga.ein königinnendrama” and in the visually impressive finale, the director brought a veritable spooky forest to life before the audience’s eyes, including the silhouette of an overpowering Mario Adorf (!). The set is designed by Danish set designer Palle Steen Christensen, who has worked with Vontobel for many years

The festival will be accompanied by a cultural programme. The programme is wide-ranging and includes everything from concerts to a scientific colloquium organised by the Nibelungenliedgesellschaft. This year’s most prominent guest in the accompanying programme is the actress Nina Petri. She will be giving a reading entitled “Unheimlich!”, in which she will perform a selection of horror stories. The programme includes authors such as Erich Kästner, Heinrich Heine, Christian Morgenstern, Franz Kafka and Bram Stoker, peppered with interesting scientific, philosophical and historical insights. The experienced audio book narrator promises a tingling “goose bump feeling”.

Tickets and further information can be found here: https://www.nibelungenfestspiele.de/nibelungenfestspiele/2024/Programm/Kulturprogramm-2024.php

The “Theatre Encounters” are an integral part of the Nibelungen Festival. On Sunday morning (14 July) from 11 a.m., artistic director Nico Hofmann, director Roger Vontobel, the authors and artistic director Thomas Laue will meet for an interview in the cosy atmosphere of Heylshof Park. The event will be moderated by the well-known film critic Rüdiger Suchsland. In terms of content, the discussion will focus on the background to the play, but will also reflect on the initial reactions of viewers and critics. Between the discussion rounds, there will also be musical samples from the musicians of the play “The Diplomat”.

Families can look forward to the Children’s and Family Day (21 July). On this day, the dignified festival idyll in the park has to give way to the colourful hustle and bustle of the children. Theatre performances, handicrafts, face painting, walking acts and games promise a high fun factor. The event is free of charge. However, tickets are required. These must be ordered in advance via the festival’s ticket service.

Information and tickets: www.nibelungenfestspiele.de

 

Jazz & Joy from 16 to 18 August

The festival has been one of the region’s top festivals for 33 years. As the name suggests, jazz plays a not insignificant role. However, the programme is dominated by the joy factor. Spread over four stages around Worms Cathedral, the audience has the opportunity to listen to around 30 bands over the weekend. The festival also invites visitors to take a leisurely stroll, accompanied by numerous caterers and winegrowers offering wine and other delicacies outside the festival stages. The largest stage is located on the market square in front of the town hall. Last year, stars such as Alice Merton, Ray Wilson and Gentleman performed there. However, the programme for 2024 has not yet been decided. All that is known is the artist for the special concert, which will also take place on the market square on the Friday of the festival (16 August) and requires an extra ticket. This year, Alvaro Soler promises a relaxed summer concert in the heart of the city. Soler is one of the most successful and popular Latin pop stars in Europe. With his catchy melodies and beats, the German-Spanish singer is a hit with millions of fans.

Tickets and information: www.jazzandjoy.de

Backfischfest from 24 August to 1 September

For many Worms residents, the Worms Backfischfest is the definitive highlight of the year. It is also the largest festival along the Rhine, combining a folk festival and a wine festival. For wine lovers, the Wonnegau wine cellar, which brings together around 50 Rhine-Hessian winegrowers with their grape juices, and the Stiftskeller, which also presents an impressive number of wines from Rhine-Hesse and the Palatinate, are popular places to visit. The Wonnegau wine cellar, which is housed in a marquee, attracts almost 2,000 visitors. In normal times, this means that the tent is very full, especially at weekends. It is safe to assume that in times of Corona, the number of visitors is likely to be somewhat smaller. In addition to delicious wines, the “Weinkeller” also attracts visitors with live music and DJ parties, where one or two couples are said to have found each other during the course of the evening.

The fairground itself is also lined with fairground rides, including the obligatory Ferris wheel, fairground stalls such as can throwing and dart throwing, as well as a wide range of catering. Of course, a Backfischfest also includes a proper fried fish, which you can get at the fish fry not far from the wine cellar. The word “Backfisch” has a double meaning in relation to the festival. On the one hand, it refers to the fishermen’s guild, which was strongly represented in Worms on the Rhine in earlier years, and on the other hand, the word refers to young, pretty women. So there is also an official Backfischbraut every year. She, in turn, can be found at the side of the “Bojemääschters vun de Fischerwääd”. The Fischerwääd, of which there are actually two, the Große and Kleine, is a street that was once mainly inhabited by fishermen. Today, the street, which is in the immediate vicinity of the fairground, symbolises the customs of that guild. A museum in the Große Fischerweide (as it is called in official German) commemorates this important occupational group for Worms. The Fischerwäderkerb is also celebrated in this street on the Wednesday of the Backfischfest. The accompanying programme of the ten-day festival also includes an elaborate parade on the first Sunday, which runs through the entire city centre and ends in the Fischerwääd. The Backfischfest concludes on the last Sunday with a visually intoxicating fireworks display over the Rhine.

Information at: www.backfischfest.de

Festival of Cultures (mid-September, date to follow)

The only festival in the city that gives multicultural Worms a face has also had to succumb to the virus and this year, after two years of abstinence, will once again take place at its traditional location on the Obermarkt. This meeting of cultures is organised by the “Intercultural Round Table”. In addition to all kinds of delicacies from the participating associations, there is plenty of information and a small but excellent cultural programme. Especially in a city like Worms, where around 30 per cent of the population has a migrant background, this festival is particularly important, because the key to peaceful coexistence lies in understanding the other culture and you can get to know it there.

Information and link to follow

Worms Wine Fair (beginning of November, exact date to follow)

As mentioned elsewhere in my blog, Worms is the third largest wine-growing municipality in Germany and Rheinhessen is the largest wine-growing region. So what could be more natural than to bring many winegrowers together in one place to give people an overview of the diverse products. But it shouldn’t stop at an overview, because no brochure or entertainment can replace tasting. But beware, anyone with the ambition to get to know all the wines should have had a good meal beforehand. With around 30 winegrowers and, accordingly, around 300 to 350 wines on offer, it is almost impossible to get a complete overview. Many visitors therefore opt for a two-day visit to the fair. While Saturday is dedicated to white wines, Sunday is devoted to red wines and rosés.

Information at: www.weinstadt-worms.de

Wormser Weihnacht at the end of November until 23 December in the city centre

Wormser Weihnacht is probably one of the few Christmas markets whose route winds directly through a pedestrian zone, making it the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and a mulled wine chat. Around 35 stalls wind their way through the city centre. As in other cities, there is the tried and tested mix of mulled wine, bratwurst, crêpes and all kinds of traders offering more or less Christmassy treats. An interesting eye-catcher are the so-called swap stalls. These can be hired by clubs, businesses or even private individuals and guarantee a certain amount of variety between knitted socks and scented candles. What you shouldn’t miss is a visit to the organic winegrower Helmut Kloos (see also Vino et Musica) on Am Römischen Kaiser, which is being re-designated as Philosophenplatz during these weeks. The winegrower doesn’t just serve his mulled wine. No, Helmut Kloos lives and breathes this market. Every year, he comes up with a story for his stall that addresses current topics in an amusing way. His hand puppets (!) the Glühweingretel and Mrs Kuddelmuddel, who also like to have a little chat with the guests, are cult favourites. Kloos provides a colourful and varied supporting programme with concerts, short readings and the singing of Christmas carols together. The highlight is, of course, the flavoursome organic mulled wine, which is made directly on site and is therefore unbeatable in terms of freshness. The mulled wine is available in white and red. For those who like it alcohol-free, the Wunschpunsch is highly recommended. While most mulled wine caterers sell heated juices as a non-alcoholic variant, the Wunschpunsch is also a creation on a par with mulled wine, the recipe for which the winemaker naturally does not reveal. The largest mulled wine meeting point is located on the Obermarkt in front of the district court. Two families of showmen offer their warming drinks there. The focus here is less on culture. The focus is more on an apres-ski atmosphere, so it should be possible for every Christmas market visitor to find a cosy spot to suit different tastes.

SchUM Cultural Days (October 2024)

The dates and content of this year’s “SchUM Kulturtage”, which can also be found under the name “Jüdische Kulturtage”, are also unknown. This series, which has been running for a few years now, has taken on a very special significance following its inclusion on the Unesco World Heritage List. After all, it is not enough to manage the historical heritage, it should also be filled with life. Last year, this included the publication of a second book on the “Stumbling Stones” laid in Worms and the impressive permanent reading “I want to bear witness…” with regionally renowned reciter Karl-Heinz Deichelmann. So it will be interesting to see what this small but excellent cultural festival has to offer this year. The Culture Days are coordinated with the two other World Heritage cities of Mainz and Speyer, as events are also being organised there.

Info: https://schumstaedte.de/schum/juedische-kulturtage/

Wunderhoeren – Days of old music and literature

In one of the oldest cities in Germany, it is of course a must to draw attention to medieval culture alongside a medieval market for the masses. Every two years since 2011, the niche festival has provided an excursion into the art of medieval composition and writing. This does not mean that there is only minstrelsy to be heard at the concerts, as the organisers do not shy away from crossovers between genres and eras, so that contemporary interpretations of the subject matter are also heard. There is no specific programme. Five events are planned throughout the year.

Further information: www.wunderhoeren.de

 

WOpen Air from 19 July to 4 August at the Medienpark Vision company premises (Alzeyer Straße)

The WOpen Festival is the youngest festival in Worms and yet has long been established. It was born out of necessity, because when the first lockdown was declared in 2020, this was tantamount to a professional ban for the two organisers Patrick Mais and Christian Ruppel. Patrick Mais actually runs the Kinowelt Worms cinema, while Ruppel is an event technician who provides events throughout Germany with the perfect sound and sets the stage in the right light. A team that complements each other perfectly. The WOpen Air took place in summer 2020 under corona-compliant conditions, i.e. in the open air, with a limited number of seats and appropriate distancing. Of course, that is now a thing of the past, but this special festival has remained. As the event takes place in a residential area, more precisely on the premises of Christian Ruppel’s company Medienpark Vision, technician Ruppel came up with something very special to avoid disturbing the neighbours with noise, namely the use of headphones. In addition to silent enjoyment of cinema screenings, concerts, comedy and more, this technology also offers the option of choosing between at least two languages for films. A fun example of this is a DJ battle that took place on the WOpen Air stage last year. The spectators/listeners could switch between three DJs. If you took off your headphones, it looked and sounded a little bizarre how the visitors sang or danced to their respective DJ. The programme is varied. The focus is on films, but in between there are also wine tastings, poetry slams, an after-work party and a DJ battle. You can take a seat on comfortable beach loungers or in a Hollywood swing. There you can enjoy the programme, the weather and the delicious cocktails on offer.

Information and the programme will be available in due course at www.kino-worms.de

Winter Revue from December at the Worms Conference Centre (Mozartsaal)

Like the WOpen Air, event technician Christian Ruppel has a hand in this sensory revue. The concept may be familiar from other dinner shows. A three or, in this case, four-course menu is responsible for the culinary temptation, while artists from a wide variety of fields amaze the guests between the individual courses. The artists range from magic and comedy to breakneck artistic feats. Experienced media professional Ruppel also ensures the right acoustic and visual design for the spectacle. In short, a visit to the Winter Revue is comparable to a short holiday. The motto: simply unwind for an evening and indulge in the diverse attractions.

Info: https://winter-revue.de/

How Worms celebrates the 5th season – carnival in the city of the Nibelungs

There are many reasons to spend time in Worms. One of them is the fifth season, which culminates on Rose Monday. When you think of carnival on the Rhine, the big cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz usually come to mind, but 50 kilometres south of Mainz, the fools in Worms celebrate no less vigorously. Six carnival clubs with a rich tradition behind them invite you to children’s and adult parties as well as the big ladies’ and housewives’ sessions every year and inspire you with their immense creativity, which is somehow typical of this city. As the parties and sessions are immensely popular, it is important to secure one of the coveted tickets early.

 

The districts of Abenheim, Hochheim and Herrnsheim also organise carnival parades. However, the highlight of the open-air carnival is likely to be “Spass uff de Gass”. In the middle of the town centre on the Obermarkt, the clubs and societies join forces to put on a cheerful Saturday afternoon, which never fails to delight with a programme of carnival speeches, singing and dancing. The colourful hustle and bustle is complemented by the adjacent carnival market, where the Worms showmen provide for the physical well-being of the visitors. It all starts at 11:11 am, of course. Although the colourful hustle and bustle on the Obermarkt comes to an official end in the afternoon, this does not mean that the celebrations are over. At the “Halli Galli Fastnachtsparty” in the auditorium of Worms University of Applied Sciences, the party can continue into the early hours of the morning.

Below you will find an overview of the events in Worms as well as links to the clubs:

„SPASS UFF DE GASS“

WANN: Samstag 10. Februar 2024 ab 11:11 Uhr

WO: Obermarkt, Worms

WIEVIEL: Kostenlos

DAMENSITZUNGEN WCL

(Wormser Carnevalsgesellschaft Liederkranz)

Der Wormser Liederkranz 1875 e.V. hält insgesamt vier Damensitzungen ab und feiert am 10.02. in der Hochschule die traditionelle Halli-Galli-Fastnachtsparty 2024 (siehe unten).

WANN:

Freitag, 26. Januar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Samstag, 27. Januar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Freitag, 02. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Samstag, 03. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

WO: Hochschule Worms, Erenburgerstraße 23, Worms

WIEVIEL: 25.- Euro (VVK)

TV PFIFFLIGHEIM DAMENSITZUNG

WANN: Samstag, 13. Januar & 20. Januar 2024 ab 19:11 Uhr

WO: TV Pfiffligheim, Wehrgasse 20, Worms

WIEVIEL: ab 16.- Euro (VVK)

KINDERKRÄPPELKAFFEE TV PFIFFLIGHEIM

WANN: Sonntag, 28. Januar & Sonntag, 04. Februar 2024 ab 14:11 Uhr

WO: TV Pfiffligheim, Wehrgasse 20, Worms

WIEVIEL: ab 2.- Euro (Tageskarte)

DAMENSITZUNGEN DES WCC

Der Wormser Carneval Club 1974 e.V. veranstaltet im Mozartsaal des Wormser Kultur- und Tagungszentrums zwei Damensitzungen. Zudem findet am 04.02. eine Kinderpartyfastnacht statt.

WANN: Samstag, 27. Januar & 03. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

WO: Das Wormser, Rathenaustraße 11, Worms

WIEVIEL: 25.- Euro (VVK)

KINDERKOSTÜMFEST DES WCC

WANN: Sonntag, 04. Februar 2024 ab 14:11 Uhr

WO: Das Wormser, Rathenaustraße 11, Worms

WIEVIEL: Sitzplatz 8.- Euro, Stehplatz 5.- Euro (VVK)

AFTERWORKPARTY DES WCC

WANN: Mittwoch, 31. Januar 2024 ab 18:11 Uhr WO: Das Wormser, Rathenaustraße 11, Worms WIEVIEL: 11 .-Euro (VVK)

 

DAMENSITZUNGEN DER NARRHALLA

Die Wormser Narrhalla von 1840 e.V. lädt zu 6 Damensitzungen in den großen Saal des Vereinsheimes der Narrhalla in der Burkhardt- strasse ein.

WANN:

Freitag, 19. Januar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Samstag, 20. Januar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Samstag, 27 Januar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Sonntag, 28. Januar 2024 ab 17:11 Uhr

Freitag, 02. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

Samstag, 03. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

WO: Großer Saal im Vereinsheim (Narhalla), Burkhardtstraße 2, Worms

WIEVIEL: ab 24.- Euro (VVK)

DAMENSITZUNG GRIWWELBISSER WORMS 1983. E.V.

Griwwelbisser Worms 1983 e.V. ist ein Fastnachtsverein, der eine bisschen andere Fastnacht macht! Das diesjährige Motto lautet: „DIE GRIWWELBISSER SIND BEREIT – MIT DEM FLIEGER IN DIE 5. JAHRESZEIT“

WANN: Samstag, 27. Januar & Freitag 02. Februar 2024 & Samstag,

03. Februar 2024 ab 20:11 Uhr

WO: TSG Halle Pfeddersheim, Weinbrunnenstraße 4, 67551 Worms

WIEVIEL: 18.- Euro (VVK)

DAMENSITZUNG WHV

Der Wormser Hausfrauen-Verein e.V. lädt gleich zu fünf Damensitzun- gen in den Vereinssaal der Gaststätte SV Horchheim ein.

WANN: 

Dienstag, 16.01. ab 17:11 Uhr

Mittwoch, 17.01. ab 17:11 Uhr

Donnerstag, 18.01. ab 18:11 Uhr

Freitag, 19.01. ab 19:33 Uhr

Samstag, 20.01. ab 19.33 Uhr

WO: Gaststätte SV Horchheim, Horchheimer Bahnhofstraße 47, 67551 Worms

WIEVIEL: ab 18.- Euro (VVK)

PRINZENGARDE GLORIA 02 E.V. – DAMENSITZUNG

Die Prinzengarde Gloria 02 e.V. lädt auch in diesem Jahr zu zwei Damensitzungen in den Vereinssaal der Gaststätte SV Horchheim ein.

WANN: Samstag, 27. Januar & Samstag, 03. Februar 2024 ab 19:11 Uhr WO: Gaststätte SV Horchheim, Horchheimer Bahnhofstr. 47, 67551 Worms

WIEVIEL: Ab 17.- Euro (VVK)

ALTWEIBERFASTNACHT Ü30 PARTY MIT KALLI KOPPOLD

Am 08.02.2024 findet im großen Saal (Vereinsheim Narrhalla ) die Altweiberfastnacht 2024 statt. Für Livemusik sorgt an diesem Abend der in Worms sehr beliebte Kalli Koppold.

WANN: Donnerstag, 08. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

WO: Großer Saal im Vereinsheim (Narhalla), Burkhardtstraße 2, Worms 

KINDERFASTNACHTSPARTY NARRHALLA

WANN: Montag, 12. Februar 2024 ab 14:33 Uhr

WO: Großer Saal im Vereinsheim (Narhalla), Burkhardtstraße 2, Worms

HALLI-GALLI FASTNACHTS-PARTY

Die Fastnachtsparty vom Liederkranz in der Hochschule Worms bietet Partyspaß auf zwei Floors mit Livemusik gespielt von den mitreißenden „Barbed Wire“ und nicht minder energische Musik aus der Konserve von DJ Double A.

WANN: Samstag, 10 Februar 2024 ab 20:11 Uhr

WO: Hochschule Worms, Erenburgerstraße 23, Worms

WIEVIEL: 18.- Euro (VVK) / 20.- Euro (AK)

FASNACHT IM KREATIVWERK IN PFEDDERSHEIM

WANN: Samstag, 27. Januar & Samstag, 03. Februar 2024 ab 19:33 Uhr

WO: GV 1845 Pfeddersheim, Berlinerstraße 48, 67551 Worms

WIEVIEL: Kartenbestellungen bitte über das Wormser Reformhaus Franz

NÄRRISCHER LINDWÜRMER (UMZÜGE) IN WORMS:

Worms – Herrnsheim 

WANN: 10. Februar 2024, ab 14:11

WIEVIEL: kostenlos

Worms – Abenheim 

WANN: 11. Februar 2024, ab 14:11 Uhr

WIEVIEL: kostenlos

Worms – Horchheim

WANN: 11. Februar 2024, ab 14:11 Uhr

WIEVIEL: kostenlos

FASTNACHTSVEREINE IM ÜBERBLICK:

Wormser Carnevalgesellschaft Liederkranz 1875 e. V. (WCL)

https://wormser-liederkranz.de/

Wormser Narrhalla von 1840 e. V.

https://wormser-narrhalla.de/

Griwwelbisser Worms 1983 e. V.

https://www.griwwelbisser-worms.de/

Wormser Prinzengarde Gloria 02 e. V. (WPG)

https://www.gloria02.de/

Wormser Carneval Club 1974 e. V. (WCC) 

http://www.wormser-carneval-club.de/

Wormser Hausfrauen-Verein e. V. (WHV)

http://www.wormser-hausfrauenverein.de/

airbnb superhost

Nibelungen Apartments achieves top ratings and receives coveted Superhost badge from Airbnb

Nibelungen Apartments recently received the prestigious Superhost badge from Airbnb. This award is given to hosts who stand out for their outstanding hospitality, excellent reviews and lasting dedication to their guests.

The Superhost badge is a sign of the highest quality and exceptional service in the host community. Nibelungen Apartments has not only exceeded the expectations of its guests, but has also created a warm and welcoming environment that travelers from all over the world appreciate.

“It is an honor to receive the Superhost badge. As hosts, our aim is to offer our guests an unforgettable experience and make them feel at home,” says Pietro Errante. “We appreciate the support of our guests and look forward to continuing to share unforgettable moments.”

Guests praise Nibelungen Apartments not only for the impeccable cleanliness and comfort of their home, but also for the personal touch and attention to detail.

Airbnb’s Superhost badge recognizes commitment to hospitality excellence and helps establish Worms as an outstanding destination.

airbnb superhost

Buja alias René Burjack

Where to buy and see art in Worms

Buja alias René Burjack

Werk von Buja alias René Burjack in der Galerie Schauraum

Kunsthandlung Steuer

For almost 100 years, the family-run Kunsthandlung Steuer in Worms has been a reliable contact when it comes to art. Anyone who enters the small shop in the pedestrian zone imagines themselves in another world. Around 600 to 700 works of art are waiting in the shop for art lovers to take home. The palette ranges from originals by regional artists to original paintings by already internationally renowned or young up-and-coming artists. And what father and son, who jointly run the shop, do not have on site, they are of course happy to organise. Organising is a good keyword here, because Helmut and Matthias Steuer also regularly organise exhibitions that are honoured with corresponding vernissages. Most recently, for example, there were exciting shows of work by the well-known Austrian artist Michael Ferner or the German-French artist Ewen Gur. An exhibition is already planned for this autumn (2023). Then the Austrian Klaus Brandner will come along. Probably the biggest exhibition coup was achieved with an impressive show of works by the legendary Markus Lüppertz, who of course did not miss the opportunity to come in person. But not only great art has its place in the art shop. Those looking for unusual gift ideas will also find what they are looking for. On top of that, there is also a fine selection of Worms souvenirs, such as a “Worms cup” designed by the artist Gerh

 

Kunst.Lokal

For a long time, the vacant business premises in Hafergasse were just another building block in the constant transformation of the city centre. Since June 2023, the rooms have served as a meeting place for local artists and anyone who is interested. The place is made possible by the funding programme “Zukunftsfähige Innenstadt”. It is important to those responsible that they do not see themselves as competitors to the Steuer art shop. Rather, they want to give the regional art scene a place where they can present themselves to a large public. A small side effect is that the local artists can of course also sell their works of art. Another side effect is that another vacancy has disappeared, at least temporarily. A problem that plagues many cities. So it is also a question of making the pedestrian zone, in this case Hafergasse, more attractive for potential other tenants and, of course, for the eye of the inner city flaneur. In all these considerations, the focus is nevertheless on the artists, who impress with their versatile creative power on two floors. Four artists who live in and around Worms made the start: Barbara Schauß (painting), Dan Novak (experimental photography), Ulrich Koglin (sculptures) and Sophie Kralenetz (painting). The latter is also responsible for the future selection of artists as curator together with Kulturkoordination. D

Kunstverein Worms 

If you are strolling through the little town of the Nibelungs and tell an acquaintance that you are on your way to the Kunstverein, it can still happen after 20 years that the answer is: “Ah yes, the one in the Prinz Carl Anlage”. But this way leads to the Kunsthaus, of course, and not to the Kunstverein. So be careful! While the Kunsthaus is a forum for artists from Worms who have studios there, the Kunstverein, according to its statutes, sees itself as a non-profit association that cultivates and promotes contemporary art with idealistic aspirations and voluntary commitment. Promoting visual artists and awakening interest in art has been the central goal of the association since 2001. And over the past 20 years, the association has impressively demonstrated how it does this. In figures, this means that in these two decades the association has been able to present around 100 exhibitions with more than 200 artists. Every year, the association invites visitors to four to five exhibitions, which are of course opened with mostly well-attended vernissages. In the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, the association has long since established itself as an important exhibition space for modern art. Since 2008, the Kunstverein has been located in the premises of a former kitchen studio in Renzstraße.

Link: https://kunstverein-worms.de/

Kunsthaus Prinz Carl-Anlage

The Kunsthaus Worms offers around 39 studios as well as separate gallery spaces on 2,500 m² of space spread over four floors. Visitors can take a look around on “open workshop” days or attend exhibitions, workshops & courses. The portfolio is as colourful as life and ranges from classical paintings to modern photography to weaving art and more. One of the most prominent studios is the art workshop of the Worms Lebenshilfe, the Atelier Blau, which is run by the renowned artist Horst Rettig. The idea is inclusion between disabled and non-disabled artists. This fruitful exchange, which is unparalleled in Europe, takes place in the protected environment of the Worms Kunsthaus. The studio can be visited by appointment and, of course, the exciting artworks can be purchased. The works include not only large-scale paintings, but also sculptures or everyday objects such as cups or plates designed by the studio’s artists. . A visit that is definitely worthwhile. There is no separate homepage for the Kunsthaus. Each studio tenant is responsible for his or her own work. Once a year, the Kunsthaus invites visitors to an open day, during which it is also possible to purchase works by the artists working there.

Adresse: Prinz-Carl-Anlage 19, 67547 Worms
Homepageadresse Atelier Blau: https://www.atelierblau.com/

Galerie Schauraum

On the homepage of the city of Worms, this gallery is advertised as an art venue for the independent art scene. In fact, the gallery, located on the premises of Fabrik e.V., could be seen as an alternative counter-design to the somewhat more conservative Kunstverein. Housed in a former factory hall, the showroom exudes a certain archaic aura, which at the same time underlines the alternative claim. Michael Mahla, who curates the exhibitions, himself likes to describe the Schauraum as a place where you can exhibit even without a diploma. Here, the talent is in the foreground and not the title! Quite a few successful artists started their careers with an exhibition in this small but fine “Forum for Art and Culture”, which has enriched Worms’ cultural landscape since 1993. In the meantime, these include renowned artists such as Buja alias René Burjack with his impressive street art. Buja’s work also adorns the entrance area of the Worms Kunstverein. There, a large-scale mural shows how you can experience art in a completely different way with the help of a smartphone. Simply photograph the mural and you will be surprised…

Quite a few of the artists who have exhibited in the showroom over the years also lived on the premises for a while, and there is more to discover here. In addition to the showroom, there are also occasional studios and, above all, flats. The factory was founded in 1979 as an alternative housing project.

Adresse: Zornstraße 11a, 67549 Worms
Web: https://galerie-schauraum.de/
Öffnungszeiten während der Ausstellungen: Sa und So: 19 Uhr bis 21 Uhr

Museum Heylshof

The Museum Heylshof – one of the leading art museums in Rhineland-Palatinate – houses the largest private art collection of the late 19th century preserved in its original state at its place of origin in Germany. The exquisite collection is complemented by the finest Frankenthal porcelain, glass, ceramics, stained glass and small sculptures as well as changing exhibitions of contemporary art.

Adresse: Stephansgasse 9, 67549 Worms
Telefon: 06241 22000
Link: https://www.heylshof.de/

Das Wormser Kulturzentrum (Ausstellungsfläche)

„Das Wormser” is the name of the municipal cultural and conference centre. What initially sounds like a grammatical stunt with the article “Das” is merely meant to indicate the diversity of this house, i.e. “Das Wormser Kulturzentrum, Tagungszentrum etc.”. In addition, the centre sees itself as a house for everyone and for everything. This means that not only conferences, concerts and theatre take place here, but that there is also space for art. What is important is the encounter with and mediation of art. Art from and about Worms is shown under the title “Art in the WORMSER”. Throughout the year, local and regional artists and organisers exhibit their work in the upper foyer of the new building. This means that 12 exhibitions a year take place here on a monthly basis, which are of course celebrated with corresponding vernissages. Admission to the exhibitions is free.

Adresse: Rathenaustraße 11, 67549 Worms
Telefon: 06241 2000450
Öffnungszeiten: Montag bis Freitag 10 Uhr bis 18 Uhr
Homepage: https://www.das-wormser.de/das-wormser/index.php

A special supporting program for special festivals

While the main programme of the festival belongs to the play alone, which this year goes by the name of “BRYNHILD” (see my text on this), there are always little gems of live music or theatre in the accompanying cultural programme that deserve to be noticed and attended. An unspoken tradition here is that artists who performed in the main play in previous years always return as part of the cultural programme, with the exception of the “Theatre Encounters”, which are entirely devoted to the current play.

Below I have briefly summarised the highlights for you this year:

Theatre Encounters on 9 July 2023 at 11 am in the Heylshof Park

It is the first event to take place in the cultural programme every first Sunday after the premiere in the fantastically beautiful ambience of the Heylshofpark Open Air on Sunday mornings. Moderated by the renowned film critic Rüdiger Suchsland, Intendant Nico Hofmann, the author and Artistic Director Thomas Laue will be on hand to answer questions. They will talk about the first reactions of the audience to the play, give exciting insights into the development process and reflect on the content and messages of the current play. The central question this year is “Who determines who we are?”.  This morning is livened up by live music, usually featuring musicians from the current production. For me personally, it is the most beautiful event in the festival environment, because on the one hand it provides exciting insights and on the other hand there are only a few opportunities to have culture presented in such a relaxed way on a Sunday morning.

 

„Offene Zweierbeziehung“

am 14. Juli – ein Theaterstück mit Alexandra Kamp und Miguel Abrantes Ostrowski im Lincoln Theater

Die Schauspielerin Alexandra Kamp kann man mittlerweile getrost als Dauergast in Worms bezeichnen. Im Hauptstück der Nibelungen-Festspiele trat sie zuletzt 2016 in dem von Albert Ostermaier verfassten Stück „Gold – Der Film der Nibelungen“ auf. Seitdem besuchte sie mit wechselnden Theaterstücken, wie der Theateradaption des Films „Eine verhängnisvolle Affähre“, die Nibelungenstadt. Im Kulturprogramm gastiert sie nun mit dem Zweipersonenstück „Offene Zweierbeziehung“ im Lincoln Theater. Die sympathische Schauspielerin spielt in dem Stück eine Frau, deren Ehe sich in der Krise befindet. Das Duo verspricht eine turbulente Komödie, die bereits von der Kritik vielfach gelobt wurde. 

“Widow’s Dramas”

on 15 July – a “Scenic Reading” with Katharina, Anna and Nellie Thalbach at the Worms Theatre

Probably not much needs to be said about the Thalbach family. After all, they are one of the leading acting dynasties in Germany. No less than three generations meet in this “staged reading” at the theatre in Worms. In his “Witwendrama”, the author Fitzgerald Kusz deals with the sensitivities of widows, and in doing so, he has put together his cheerful, ironic and sad thoughts to create widow dramas. Performed by the three great Thalbach women, the evening should be an entertaining theatrical treat.

 

Genija Rykova and band

on 18 July at the Worms Theatre

Last year, actress Genija Rykova slipped into the role of Brünhild and proved extraordinary qualities as the “water mermaid” in the face of the “water stage” at that time. In this one she returns to Worms to convince of her musical qualities. Together with her band, she presents songs by strong female artists of the 20th century such as Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and others under the title “A Woman’s World”.

Children’s Day

on 16 July in the Heylshof Park

Children’s theatre, enchanted creatures and lots of fun and games: the Children’s and Family Day invites you to join in the fun in the beautiful Heylshof Park at Worms Cathedral – there will be handicrafts, games and glitter tattoos. For the first time, the event will again take place without corona-related restrictions. Admission is free, no tickets need to be reserved in advance.

The admission prices, times and further information on the cultural programme can be found here:

https://www.nibelungenfestspiele.de/nibelungenfestspiele/2023/Programm/Kulturprogramm-2023.php

Enjoying time in the Heylshof Park during the Nibelungen Festival

It’s as if you were suddenly in the midst of a different, fairytale world…that’s roughly how a visit during the festival to what is probably Germany’s most beautiful theatre foyer feels. To immerse yourself in this world in the evening, you don’t even need a theatre ticket, because “flâneurs” or pleasure-seekers also have access to the park. For this, however, you need a strolling ticket. At 4 euros, they are not necessarily cheap, but they make up for it with live music before the play and during the interval, as well as the stylish ambience, which is particularly effective in the dark, as the park is tastefully illuminated. There is also a wide selection and food and drink to match. My personal favourite place during this time is the wine lounge, where only Worms vintners offer their wines. This year, that means being able to choose between ten fine wines. The Heylshofpark opens at 5:30 pm and closes at 1 am. Those who want to enjoy a stylish dinner can also find what they are looking for in the Heylshofpark. Under the name “Dinner in the Park” there is a multi-course menu every evening from the exclusive festival caterer “Gauls Catering” from 6 pm.

Further information on strolling tickets, Dinner in the Park etc. can be found here: https://www.nibelungenfestspiele.de/nibelungenfestspiele/2020/Arrangements-Auswahlseite-2020-2021/index-2020-2021.php?navid=199481199481.

All photos are courtesy of the Nibelungen Festival – thank you!

FOTO DENNIS DIRIGO

Concentrated female power, bodybuilder dragons and a Stargate

What awaits the spectators at this year’s Nibelungen Festival and the play “BRYNHILD

When spring is in full bloom in Worms, it is also an unmistakable sign that the Nibelungen Festival in my hometown is preparing for the big premiere on July 7. As usual under artistic director Nico Hofmann, a world premiere will be brought to the stage on the north side of Worms Cathedral. “BRYNHILD” is the name and was written by the successful author Maria Milisavljević.

Incidentally, this is the first time in the 20-year history of the festival that a woman has had writing responsibility. This is interesting, because at the center of the Nibelungenlied are two strong characters who are met with violence from the male side. In recent years, the festival has repeatedly dealt with this key theme of the Nibelungen saga, but always from the inevitably male perspective of a male author. This is not wrong per se and has sometimes led to interesting contributions such as “Siegfried’s Heirs” by Feridun Zaimoglu and Gerhard Senkel. At that time, the author duo thought the story further and dealt with the question of what actually became of Brünhild after the Burgundians set out to join Kriemhild and Etzel and perished in a slaughter. The author Milisavljević also places Brühnhild at the center of the story. However, it travels all the way back to the beginning and makes use of Norse mythology, more specifically the songs Edda. There Brünhild is called Brynhild, lives as daughter of Odin and Frigga on Isenland.

Liederedda instead of Nibelungenlied

At a press briefing I held as part of my work for the WO! magazine, the author explained that in the Song of the Edda the story between Brynhild and Sigurd was a blank that she now wanted to fill. Sigurd, that’s Siegfried, and he’s a sword-wielding hothead, as in the Germanic version, who claims to have slain a dragon. But anyone expecting a mythologically charged love story between two powerful characters has of course missed out on the festival. Unlike such family-friendly festivals as those featuring Winnetou or Klaus Störtebeker, the Nibelungen in Worms feels more like the classic “Everyman,” doomed to repeatedly negotiate its own tragic fate. In Worms this summer, this means that director Pinar Karabulut not only wants to stage visually stunning open-air theater, but also asks questions. So she explained recently at the start of rehearsals on May 19: “What I find so exciting is how do I retell a story that is so entrenched in cultural memory?” Or is it so fixed that it keeps coming back like a nightmare?” Thus, Brynhild, the Icelandic daughter of the gods, finds herself caught in the dichotomy between tradition and self-empowerment. Karabulut on this: “As a woman, as a body read as female, can she break out of her role? Can she do it alone? Who is stronger: you or history?”

At the Festival’s press conference, I also had the opportunity to ask the lively, likeable director, who is currently one of the most sought-after theater makers in the German-speaking world, about her plans for the production:

ANDREAS STUMP

Photo: @ Andreas Stumpf

WHERE! They stage in front of the Worms Cathedral. What does it mean to set such a stage?

I have actually only done one open air production so far. That was an opera. But that wasn’t nearly as big as it will be here in Worms. Nevertheless, my set designer Michela Flück and I were never afraid of the size of the stage. My first thought was, how can we make it to be able to insert things from the top of the image? Can we rent a crane? Then, however, we were told directly that we couldn’t do that. The question we ended up asking ourselves was, how can we find new ways to make this evening work.

WHERE! That is, in the theater you have the advantage of the equipment and here the challenge of nature?

Right. That’s the aspect I’m most looking forward to. I can only rely on the usual theater technique to a limited extent, since nature dictates the weather. So we have to direct the complete psychology of this evening differently That’s the challenge I’m looking forward to. The sheer size of the stage is just inviting me to do more on stage at the same time (laughs).

WHERE! In an interview, you spoke of wanting to subvert viewing habits in terms of staging. What does that mean exactly?

That’s actually one of my main driving points in my job. For me, art should be something insanely liberating, something that inspires people. For example, when I go to a museum and look at a painting, I want it to do something to me, and when I take it home in my mind, it transports me to another world before I sit down at my desk again. Again, I think it’s a pity that in German-speaking theater there are always narrative rules that must be followed at all costs. Accordingly, it is often the case that the audience already enters the theater with the expectation that the story will be told exactly as it is. But life is not like that. Life is much crazier. In part, we are much more well-behaved on the theater stages than actual life plays.

WHERE! Isn’t there also a danger that the audience will be overwhelmed by too much newness?

Yes, I am aware of that, and I know that there is a danger that viewers will close their minds.

You can read the full interview here: www.wo-magazin.de

What is new at this year’s festival is not only the creative female dual leadership of author and director, but also a thoroughly diverse approach that does not stop at a change of roles between the sexes. Thus, the Darth Vader of the Germanic vocal sagas, Hagen von Tronje, is transformed from a one-eyed grumpy family protector into a dark-skinned protagonist played by actress Ruby Commey. Sigurd is played by Bekim Latifi and Frigga, Odin’s wife, by the versatile artist Parisa Madani. The Togo-born actor Bless Amada once again takes on the role of Odin, the father of the Norse gods. So far, so colorful! While in the cinema the emancipation of diversity is currently not proceeding without criticism and box office losses, in the theater the reinterpretation of gender roles has long been a normality, even if in the case of “BRYNHILD” I must attest that it is certainly not an uninteresting experiment for the primarily rather conservative festival.

Who are the actors and actresses?

Parisa Madani comes from German-Persian parents and works today as a singer, actress and offers experimental dream meditations. Bless Amada, in turn, was born in Togo. When he was ten years old, his parents moved to Munich. There he completed his acting training at the renowned Otto Falckenberg School. In the last two years he starred in numerous TV series. The German-Albanian actor Bekim Latifi also studied in Munich. Latifi worked for many years at the Thalia Theater and currently plays for the Münchner Kammerspiele. Şafak Şengül from Mainz is at home on many stages and in 2020 also starred in the highly acclaimed feature film “Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush” by Andreas Dresen. Denmark’s Jens Albinus has a firm place in Scandinavian television crime. In recent years, he has appeared in series such as “Commissioner Lund”, “The Eagle” and “Borgen”. Also part of the cast is Laina Schwarz, who is also a welcome guest in TV crime dramas and most recently starred in the series “Marie Brand”, SOKO Wismar” and “Der Staatsanwalt”. As varied as the names of the series are their engagements on Germany’s theater stages. Simon Kirsch is a much sought-after theater actor who has shone in recent years on stages such as the Burgbühne in Vienna, the Schauspielhaus in Zurich and the Thalia Theater in Hamburg. Ruby Commey earned her good name mainly on Berlin stages. The dark-skinned actress became internationally known for the music video Deutschland, released by the band Rammstein in March 2019, in which she plays Germania. Lena Urzendowsky again appears in the title role of Brynhild. Urzendowsky makes her theater debut in Worms. The 23-year-old has already made a name for herself in front of the camera, starring in the much-discussed Amazon Prime series “Zoo,” based on the autobiography “Christiane F. Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo.” Also based in the 70s and also produced for Amazon, the Berliner also played an important role in the series “Lude”.

A special guest as a dragon

Actually, according to Intendant Hofmann, the ensemble should be the star, or as he explained it at the press conference, “We want to get away from the star-driven ensemble!” But you can’t quite keep your hands off prominent names in 2023 either. This year’s cast includes special guest bodybuilder Ralf Moeller (“Gladiator,” “Conan” series). A name that is out of the ordinary at first glance, but ultimately interesting. Moeller will not be live on stage, but he will contribute his experience in front of the camera, because Moeller’s scenes will be filmed in the Odenwald and later integrated into the play via a giant LED screen at the festival. The man with the impressive body proportions and permanent buddy of Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the dragon Fafnir (!) in the play “BRYNHILD”. What exactly this will look like, whether Moeller will crawl through the Odenwald made up as a dragon, only lend his voice or not be a dragon in the true sense of the word, this secret will of course only be revealed at the premiere.

Where there is a festival, there must also be a bit of spectacle

Although all those responsible always emphasize the artistic claim, this too must submit to the dictates of the summer spectacle, because the festival not only wants to invite intellectual debate, but also to a certain extent to overwhelm the audience. Basically, it needs only the view of the overpowering cathedral to overwhelm, but that alone is not enough to captivate over the three hours of the performance. Together, they reach deep into their bag of tricks to create a “neo-futuristic” world, as the director describes it. At a press briefing in the fall of 2022, director Karabulut talked about making the set purple. In fact, initial visualizations show a purple desert in front of a giant video screen that also acts like a portal. The characters on stage can pass through this Stargate er portal times, from ancient times to the future. Video artist and filmmaker Susanne Steinmassel will put this portal in perspective, but will also actively support Karabulut in shooting the cinematic scenes. The stage designer Michela Flück promises a novel world in front of the cathedral. One that unites the eras. “The cathedral seems like a hallucination in the dystopian world in which we set Brynhild’s life,” the Zurich-born set designer says of her work. “A timeless landscape surrounds Worms Cathedral: fragments of an ancient excavation site buried under sand, not a sea in sight,” she continues. A spectacle for the ears is promised by musician Daniel Murena, who together with Martin Tagar and Oliver Bersin will be responsible for the stage music, which will be played live for the performance. Murena is an exciting composer whose roots are in pop and rock, but also feels at home in the avant-garde. Together with classical composition approaches, filled with horror sound and industrial effects, the musician has already given several theater pieces the right sound since 2006 and should also conjure up an unusual musical garb in the night sky of Worms in the context of the festival.

After 20 years of the Nibelungen Festival, it is actually amazing how many facets can still be drawn from this 800-year-old story. This year, in addition to the female perspectives, it is also important to gather a young team in front of the Cathedral, combined with the hope of bringing the historical heritage of this great material to younger people. This can only be a good thing, because after all, the Nibelungen is also an object lesson in how greed, hatred, envy and, above all, power can lead everyone to their doom. I, for one, am looking forward to the piece “BRYNHILD.” The only thing missing is the right weather, but that’s usually free in Worms.

The festival will be held in the period from July 7 to July 23.

You can find more information about the festival here: https://www.nibelungenfestspiele.de/nibelungenfestspiele/

Stage design “BRYNHILD”, photo: @ Nibelungen Festival