400,000 visitors at the
50th INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL in Dresden
Founder and artistic director Joachim Schlese concludes his active career as festival director at the anniversary edition
Today, the finale of the 50th INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL sounds throughout Dresden, Europe’s capital of Dixieland. Tens of thousands more visitors are expected before the official conclusion at around 19:00 on Neumarkt. At 16:00, the traditional Dixieland-Parade starts at Terrassenufer and proceeds through the historic centre, with ten bands and soloists and numerous other parade tableaux. After arriving at the Neumarkt stage, performers including Australia’s Pugsley Buzzard Band will play the grand finale.
Almost 4,000 guests attended this morning’s Open-Air-Gala at Junge Garde in the Großer Garten. After last Sunday’s opening at Dresden Zoo with over 6,000 visitors, sold-out concerts and exceptionally well-attended free events, today’s remaining programme will bring attendance to around 400,000. This was the last edition directed by Joachim Schlese, who co-founded the festival in 1971 and has led it continuously since.
From Jazzmeile, club concerts, formal galas, Dixie-ABC for children and spontaneous outdoor performances to celebrations with bratwurst and beer, acclaimed jam sessions and finely crafted, outstanding jazz in concert halls, the 50th INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL has delighted visitors from near and far with excellent live music over eight days.
The anniversary edition, originally scheduled for 2020, finally took place at the third attempt after the pandemic intervened. “We moved the entire 2020 festival, with every event and its outstanding line-up, almost unchanged to 2021 and then to 2022. We are delighted and grateful finally to have celebrated the 50th birthday and for our fans’ loyalty. The grateful, happy faces and positive energy at every venue leave us with an exceptionally positive assessment,” concludes spokesperson Hendrik Meyer.
The varied programme comprised 42 events for young and old, for dancing and singing along and for absorbing outstanding music. Audiences experienced 42 bands and soloists from ten countries on 35 stages: 280 musicians and around 250 hours of music, more than 130 free.
A magnificent culmination of an exceptional career
The 50th INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL also crowned an exceptional lifetime’s work. Joachim Schlese, a founder in 1971 who developed it into the world’s largest traditional jazz festival, concludes his active career with this anniversary. “Fifty years of artistic direction, 50 uninterrupted festivals: Joachim Schlese has created something unmatched worldwide and unquestionably earned his place in jazz history. Our team will always honour his legacy and proudly continue the INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL,” says Hendrik Meyer.
The 51st INTERNATIONALES DIXIELAND FESTIVAL takes place from 14 to 21 May 2023. Planning is under way. Advance sales open on 5 September 2022.
