Wave-Gotik-Treffen XXI (WGT 2012)

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Festival gothique. Le plus grand festival du monde de toute la darkWave au sens large du terme réunie.

Wave-Gotik-Treffen: dark-romantic celebrations every year at Withsun in Leipzig – Germany 21 years ago, two Gothic people from Leipzig had an unusual idea: They didn’t want to create yet another dark music festival but rather a supra-regional gathering of like-minded fellows for relaxed meeting, chatting and celebrating. When in 1992 the 1st Wave-Gotik-Treffen took place in 1992 at the edge of Leipzig with about 2,000 visitors and just a handful of bands, it is unlikely that anyone imagined that within a few years the WGT would become the largest meeting of Gothic people in the world, taking possession of a whole city every year at Withsun.

In 2012, the WGT takes place for the 21st time. From May 25th to 28th again, Gothics from all over the world are expected to come together again in Leipzig to celebrate the Wave-Gotik-Treffen as THE international gathering of the dark family.

All over the city there will be about 200 bands performing, projects and single artists covering the whole wide range of Gothic music: from Electro-Pop to Goth-Metal, from EBM to Neofolk, from medieval music to Industrial. The concerts and events take place at more than 30 venues spread throughout Leipzig, for instance in the vaults of the Moritzbastei, in the splendid neo-antique cupola hall of the Volkspalast, in the green round of the open-air Parkbühne, as well as in large concert halls. Traditionally, the crazy Gothic concerts are contrasted by including some beautiful classical music in the program as well. You can even visit Leipzig’s Opera House for some magic hours of opera performances and for an evening with the world-famous bel canto diva Montserrat Caballé.

From its beginning the Wave-Gotik-Treffen has been much more than a music festival: its guests may step back to the romantic atmosphere of ancient times at the medieval market place, the pagan village. We will have authors reading, unusual theatre and cinematic performances will take place as well as a big live action role play. One of Leipzig’s most beautiful cafes with an outstanding historical interior will be the daily setting of an opulent brunch meal accompanied by live chamber music. People in historic clothing will gather in the park for a Victorian Picnic. For four days a large hall on at the agra-Messepark will turn into the biggest Gothic-wares marketplace in the world. In countless clubs DJs from all over the world will invite you to dance until dawn. There will also be a large fetish party where entrance is only possible by following a strict voluptuous dress code. A stroll through the winding passages of city centre of Leipzig with its historical buildings of the Renaissance, Baroque and Jugendstil eras is especially worthwhile for art lovers: entrance to the huge fine arts museum with its important collection of painting, graphic art and sculpture is again free for WGT-guests.

Cheap and entertaining accommodation is available at the huge Treffen camping ground. To enter, you need a special ticket (called Obsorgekarte) which includes also the extensive WGT-program-book. Public transport in the city is free for all WGT-guests from Friday morning until noontime Tuesday.

The inhabitants of Leipzig have become familiar with the Treffen over the last two decades – there are no longer any prejudices and the gothic guests are very welcome here. The most fascinating aspect of the Wave-Gotik-Treffen is surely its unique magic atmosphere that covers the whole city. Gothics from all over the world celebrate their gathering in a peacefully relaxed manner, turning Leipzig into a diverse wave of black. Once a year about twenty thousand Gothics come home: to the Wave-Gotik-Treffen.

More photo soon !