29th Karl May Festival - The treasure in the Lößnitzgrund
13.05.2022
-
© Kenny Scholz
It is said that a treasure lies hidden in Radebeul's Lößnitzgrund. It can be found in the middle of rustic forests, surrounded by western settlements and not far from the babbling brook. But it contains neither gold nor silver, nor precious stones or diamonds, and yet it is said to be more valuable than anything known to date.
To solve the mystery of its true contents, numerous adventurers from near and far set off in search of the legendary "treasure in the Lößnitzgrund".
They set off on their journey to the Wild West on the Santa Fe Express, pass settler camps and western towns, see idyllic landscapes rush by and are also exposed to unexpected dangers during train robberies. On their way through the Lößnitzgrund, visitors encounter not only peaceful settlers and brave confederates, but also rough-and-tumble cowboys and rowdy scoundrels. With wild ideas and plenty of surprises, they take on the sheriff and leave no doubt as to who is in charge in the western town.
The German country music queen Gudrun Lange and her band Kactus will kick off the festival weekend on Friday evening at Freiberg Country Night. She has been thrilling audiences far beyond Germany's borders for 40 years. Beforehand, the Radebeul veterans "The Canyon Boys" will ensure an exuberant atmosphere and a shaking dance floor.
On Saturday and Sunday, the western town of Little Tombstone will also be all about real country music. Free Bears, Doug Adkins and Crazy Pony will heat up the crowd with classics of the genres, bluegrass and Americana and prove that you can't pigeonhole country music.
It will be exciting and eventful for all little cowboy and Indian fans. They can pan for gold in the Lößnitz River, explore the surrounding area on donkeys or put their skills to the test in western games and archery. At the Indian playground, little explorers can climb to lofty heights and playfully learn more about the life and customs of the Lakota Indians in the "Little Feather". Meanwhile, Kevin Manygoats tells Native American stories about the Navajo Indians in the tipi by the small stone.
Karl May's former place of residence and work, the Karl May Museum, will also be directly involved in the festivities as a new venue. Karl May himself will visit the museum with his alter ego Old Shatterhand. Together they will be inviting visitors to enjoy scenic readings and all kinds of anecdotes from the life of the famous adventure writer. Hartmut Felber's Native American dance group will provide insights into the Indian culture of the Pow Wow and present traditional dances. A round table discussion on Karl May's message of peace will focus on his pacifist ideas, his desire for peace and his renunciation of selfishness and violence in his works. Especially in the face of armed conflicts in the middle of Europe, Karl May's call for "Peace on Earth!" and his ideas of friendship, charity and helpfulness that unite people are more relevant than ever.
Riders from all over Germany set up camp at the Sternreitercamp. They demonstrate their talent with horses in trapper games and competitions. The rider who has travelled the longest distance to Radebeul on his horse is awarded an elaborate Indian peace pipe as a special honour.
"The hope that had been placed in the town proved to be true." (The Treasure in Silver Lake)
Between exciting Wild West life and fascinating insights into foreign cultures, between Western hustle and bustle and closeness to nature, every seeker quickly discovers the true treasure of the Lößnitzgrund - the joy of finally celebrating together again, seeing friends and old acquaintances again, encountering other cultures peacefully and without prejudice and escaping everyday life for three days to immerse themselves in a world full of fantasy, adventure and heroism. Scoundrels and settlers, cowboys and Indians, hobbyists and scientists, children and pensioners, locals and travellers - they all meet at the Karl May Festival and are part of a great festival that is just as diverse as the great writer, impostor, dreamer and pacifist Karl May himself. "It is an eventful life that awaits us. Let us be good comrades, Mesch'schurs!" (Old Firehand in: The Treasure in Silver Lake)
More information: