The Karl May Festival, which is held every year in the town of Elspe, near Cologne, attracts many guests. The organizers approach the theatrical part with true German thoroughness. Everything is serious here. Stories and performances "about the Indians" are played on the largest open stage in Europe.
Karl May Festival
At Karl Friedrich May in 2012 there were two anniversaries. Karl May was born in Saxony in 1852, one hundred and seventy years ago. And the writer died a hundred years ago, on March 30, 1912, in the Saxon city of Radebeul.
May wrote westerns, although he had never been to the Wild West, and almost never traveled outside Germany. His adventure novels, translated into 43 world languages, are dedicated to the life of the Indians. It was he who created the famous leader of the Apaches - Winnet.
It is said that its Indians are too idealized and more likely resemble carnival knights on dashing mustangs. Free, noble and honest, they jump on the prairies, fight the enemy and certainly win. For this, people liked his books, which were published all over the world with a circulation of more than 200 million copies.
Karl May Festival in Elspe
Karl May Festivalheld every year in the town Elspe Festival, not far from Colognegathers many guests. The organizers approach the theatrical part with true German thoroughness. Everything is serious here. Stories and performances "about the Indians" are played on the largest open stage in Europe.
Karl May Festival in Elspe
A real fort, tents and log huts, a saloon and a totem pole - carefully prepared scenery for a large-scale presentation are done ahead of time. The orchestra plays country music, from toddlers to fathers of families, dressed up in cowboy and Native American costumes, "armed" with toy rings and almost real tomahawks. Once, in the seventies, he performed on stage in Elspe Pierre Brice - Performer Vinnetu in the first film adaptations on May. He was later replaced by the legendary Goiko Mitic.
Karl May Festival in Elspe
The performance begins. A lot of participants are involved in an almost fabulous and slightly naive plot - from “Indians” and “settlers” to “oil producers”. The play has many tricks performed at a high level, and in the end, justice triumphs. At the festival in Elspe, not only "Native American" stories are played out, but also performances based on other works by Karl May.
After the performances, the audience can meet with the actors, get acquainted with the structure of the stage, and, of course, drink the famous Cologne beer.
Karl May Festival in Elspe
See the festival website for more details.
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