»Republic of Spirits, Republik der Geister!« – the Weimar Universities’ great Bauhaus Festival on 12 April 2019

Using an exceptional combination of light installations, dance, song, performances and music, Weimar’s universities will shine in all their glory for an evening and join forces to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of founding the Staatliche Bauhaus, which opened in Weimar in April 1919.

 

For this Bauhaus festival, students, teachers and members of both universities are transforming the Main Building into an experimental multimedia stage – more than 20 spaces will be redesigned for the evening. The buildings will be linked by an illuminated park path. All guests are invited to stroll, discover, listen and linger from 6 pm onwards. The festival will be opened at 6:30 pm by Prof. Dr. Christoph Stölzl, President of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, and Prof. Dr. Winfried Speitkamp, President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, in the University Library foyer.

The over 30 walk-through project spaces could not be more different: from a dive bar to a placenta chamber to an oasis, there is a little bit of everything. Prof. Dr. Stölzl and his team invite visitors to the »Magical Moment 1930« in the Fürstenhaus, taking them on a journey through the magical locations of the avant garde and creating an »amalgam of the acoustic and optical attractions of jazz, German talkie films and new photography«. Meanwhile, vocal ensemble »Die Katze im Sack« sings personal ringtones on the public’s smartphones.

The »dive bar« is opening its doors in the park’s underground tunnels, inviting guests to enjoy its dark atmosphere, music, hard liquor and even a drinking song competition. A restful and cosy contrast comes from the »placenta chamber« in the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s Main Building, using warm red lamplight and soft floors to promote relaxation.

The spatial acoustic installation in the Main Building's Oberlichtsaal takes a thoroughly interdisciplinary approach. Synergies between architecture and music unfold here during chamber music concerts. The ‘women’s room’ uses a fashion show to present a clothing collection in the style of historic tailor, weaving and costume practices, and presents the life and work of Bauhaus’s women.

There will also be open-air celebrations: four music groups will play on an outdoor stage in front of the Van de Velde building during the evening.

You can see an overview of all the project spaces here: https://bauhaus100.uni-weimar.de/bauhausfest

The Bauhaus Festival is funded by the Thuringian State Chancellery and the Bauhaus Association, and is organised in conjunction with the Klassik Stiftung Weimar.

Republic of Spirits, Republik der Geister!  
The Weimar Universities’ Bauhaus Festival

Friday 12 April 2019, from 6 pm

Fürstenhaus, Platz der Demokratie 2/3

Van de Velde complex, Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 6-8
Tempelherrenhaus in Ilmpark

Opening and welcome address
6:30 pm
Prof. Dr. Christoph Stölzl, President of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar
Prof. Dr. Winfried Speitkamp, President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Foyer of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar University Library, Steubenstraße 6

Entry is free of charge.

For more information and description of the settings, visit bauhaus100.uni-weimar.de/bauhausfest or contact the Bauhaus100 coordination team at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar by email to bauhaus100@uni-weimar.de or at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar by email to presse@hfm-weimar.de.