It is no secret that Leipzig's culture is first class.
Lately, though, Leipzigers have often been asked about an entirely different first-class phenomenon: RB Leipzig's rapid ascent in their first Bundesliga season to achieve second place behind Bayern Munich, crowned by the team's sporting qualification for the Champions League, the top tier of European football.
No matter whether it's Bach or football, art or the Reformation, opera or the Festival of Lights-we just love all the events which see the people of Leipzig and guests come together peacefully to celebrate their own personal heroes.
On that note: It's time to kick off as we raise the curtain on this summer in Leipzig!
Red Bull Leipzig website
Official fan shop
New hotels:
Although the city is becoming ever more popular, finding the right place to stay should definitely not be a problem in Leipzig.
There are numerous hotels for all budgets and yet, there is more to come. In September 2016, the Spanish hotel group Meliá opened the 4-star INNSIDE Leipzig with 177 rooms right opposite the famous St. Thomas Church - a breathtaking view of St. Thomas Church from the rooftop terrace, a spa and conference rooms included. Just a few steps away, the new 4-star Arthotel ANA Symphonie boasts a stylish mixture of modern interior and classic comfort in its 97 rooms. Other openings include:
Ibis*** / Ibis Budget*** Leipzig-City next to the Museum of Fine Arts (since September 2016)
Meininger Hotel Leipzig Central Station (since April 2017
Bachfest fever in Leipzig
New mobile app and launch of pre-sales for 2018
Bachfest fever has returned to Leipzig for another year: In just a few days, the city's largest classical music festival will be getting under way, and in the Reformation year 2017 it is dedicated to Luther's influence on Bach and church music.
The new "Bachfest Leipzig" mobile app is a testament to the serious changes the world has seen since Luther posted his 95 Theses some 500 years ago: For the first time, the app lets visitors use their smartphone or tablet to create their own personalized festival calendar and also purchase tickets.
The best part? It provides concert updates, information about last-minute tickets and other specifics in real time. This makes the app the perfect companion for friends of the Bachfest both before and during the festival.
Meanwhile, the travel industry is already looking forward to the Bachfest 2018 from June 8-17: Experience Bach's works performed in cycles. The compilation promises 'divine' experiences: It will begin with the monumental "Cantata Ring", presented by the Bach experts J. E. Gardiner, T. Koopman, M. Suzuki, St. Thomas Boys' Choir and Gaechinger Cantorey.
It will be possible to purchase the complete package for the "Cantata Ring" from June 9, 2017. The Bachfest book will be published in November, and tickets for all concerts will go on sale on 20 November.
About the Bachfest app
Bachfest 2018 program
Exquisite opera! Highlights from Leipzig Opera's 2017/18 season
The upcoming season at Leipzig Opera will focus on Leipzig's very own Richard Wagner. The highlight will be cyclical performances of the Ring des Nibelungen under the musical direction of General Musical Director and General Director Ulf Schirmer, whose conducting skills are in demand worldwide.
There's another special treat in store for the travel industry: Themed weekends dedicated to Strauss, Puccini and Verdi-three great composers each with his own weekend. Your customers can come to the musical city of Leipzig and enjoy uninterrupted masterpieces by Richard Strauss, Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi. Viva la musica!
All dates and highlights are available to download in the season preview:
Send your senses spinning
Leipzig invites visitors to the Spinnerei gallery tour
On Sept. 16 and 17, the international art scene will get together once again in Leipzig for the Spinnerei's now popular autumn gallery. It's time to head over to trendy western Leipzig-the Spinnerei is something you simply need to have seen.
The site of what was once the largest cotton mill in continental Europe is now home to more than 100 artists' studios, 11 galleries, numerous exhibition spaces and design workshops. The painter Neo Rauch, the shooting star of the "New Leipzig School", was one of the pioneers of this cultural revival. All the galleries will open new exhibitions for the Spinnerei gallery tour.
During the Spinnerei's opening hours, it is also possible to visit the site individually and free of charge throughout the year. The Spinnerei also offers guided tours for groups and individuals.
Go west! Full details about visiting the Spinnerei.
[READMORE]READ MORE Top 10 Things to Do in Leipzig[/READMORE]
Final spurt for the Reformation autumn
Leipzig celebrates Luther
Leipzig's role in the history of the Reformation is one of national importance. Just recently, the city played host to a Protestant "Kirchentag on the Way". After a quick breather, it's time to press on with the series of events marking the anniversary of the Reformation. In this edition, we've picked two highlights for you from the packed program catalog:
The Luther section at the Leipzig Museum of City History boasts a magnificent new look for its main treasures: It sets the stage beautifully to present its core exhibits, which include Katharina von Bora's original wedding ring and the silver Luther cup, the latter a gift from King Gustav Vasa of Sweden to Martin Luther, but also panel paintings and epitaphs by Lucas Cranach.
Talking of setting the stage: From Sept. 2, Leipzig's market square will be filled by a 42-metre table surrounded by 95 chairs. The colossal installation "THE SUPPER TABLE-Decreasing Horror | Increasing Love" by composer and media artist Thomas Christoph Heyde is to be the setting for one of the most complex works of our age: For the first time ever, 95 singers will perform the original Latin text of Martin Luther's 95 Theses. Large video screens and an augmented reality app will allow audiences to immerse themselves in the history as well as the events as they happen.
What's more, 360-degree applications enable an individual view of the event, whether you're right there or watching virtually. Are you getting dizzy just reading this? On the days afterward, it will be possible to simply sit down at the large table-just as Luther himself would no doubt have done-and start a conversation with your neighbor.
The installation will thus create a tangible bridge between past and present.
More information on the Supper Table is available here.
Take a look at the current program for Leipzig's Reformation anniversary celebrations in 2017
Festival of Lights 2017: Art and candles to remember the autumn of '89
In turbulent times such as these, the European culture of commemoration has an important role to play. For the people of Leipzig, it's an integral part of their understanding of democracy: Every year on Oct. 9, citizens and guests of the city come together to the original sites to commemorate the historic Monday demonstrations held in the autumn of 1989, which was to go down in history as the Peaceful Revolution.
In recent years, the event has already focused on aspects pertaining to civil society. And in 2017, after the Prayer for Peace and the Speech on Democracy at St. Nicholas Church, the Festival of Lights will once again offer an exciting spectacle of music, video and performance inspired by the motto "Transformation-Responsibility-Openness".
A cherished tradition: All evening, visitors form a shining '89' out of thousands of candles. lichtfest.leipziger-freiheit.de/
Happy Birthday, Mr Blomstedt!
The Gewandhausorchester celebrates the 90th birthday of Honorary Conductor Herbert Blomstedt
Leipzig loves its Gewandhaus orchestra conductors! This year one of the true greats, the internationally acclaimed conductor Herbert Blomstedt, is celebrating his 90th birthday. What could be more fitting than to celebrate one's birthday by making music, baton in hand?
From Sept. 28 until Oct. 13, 2017, Herbert Blomstedt will conduct the Gewandhausorchester in a series of eight concerts. And since the world-famous ensemble will also be celebrating an anniversary of its own-its 275th-during the 2017/2018 season, the program will only contain works that were premiered by the Gewandhausorchester itself. All the best from us . Here's to the finest in musical entertainment!
All dates: gewandhausorchester.de
By the way, did you know:
UT Connewitz is the oldest cinema in Germany, that custom longboards are built in the west of the city, and that you can buy tailored, handmade shoes in Leipzig?
The revised edition of our multi-award-winning alternative city guide "Hidden Leipzig-Off The Beaten Track" is packed with hidden highlights, green oases, trendy bars, quirky businesses and creative hubs, including 50 brand-new tips. As always, it contains wonderful photographs by Leipzig-based photographer Tom Schulze. Leipzig's neighborhoods are home to specialty restaurants and beautiful parks, concert halls and favorite shops, art galleries and independent theatres. Entire streets buzzing with life.
All tips can be viewed online at hidden-leipzig.com or ordered in the form of a handy booklet.
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