Europe
8th to 24th June 2018
The palaces and gardens of Potsdam are a focal point of European history. For centuries the city owed its rise to migration. (As did in fact all of Brandenburg and Prussia.) The Jews that were banished from Austria, the persecuted Huguenots from France: this is where they find a new home; the Great Elector consciously grants them the freedom to practice their religion in the Potsdam Edict of Toleration. And with the persecuted people others are enticed to Potsdam as well since they see work and opportunities: Dutch people bring their construction skills and their craftsmanship, Swiss manufacturers and farmers, Flemish blacksmiths, Bohemian weavers and musicians, Italian tailors or Russian soldiers and choir singers... Potsdam turns into a melting pot of people and thus sets an economic, social and cultural example. You will find many examples for the power of migration and integration here. The rift separating political sides after 1945 went right through Potsdam’s unique cultural landscape. The fact that in this context things that belong together grow together again and merge is an encouraging sign bearing witness to the vital force of the European idea. A good reason for the Music Festival to explore the diversity of European musical regions and musical traditions with both their uniqueness as well as their connectedness and to celebrate music as a game without limits for a harmonious Europe.
The curators 2018:
Dr. Andrea Palent, Thomas Höft
