Street Art Festival Kicks Off in Riesa

The Ibug Street Art Festival has opened its doors to visitors in Riesa. The festival will continue for three weekends through September 6 at the former Muskator factory. On display there are works by more than 70 artists from Germany and abroad. Following its 2024 edition, the street art festival is returning for the second time to the grounds of the animal feed factory, which was shut down in 2013. 

The exhibition features a wide variety of formats, ranging from colorful murals—that is, large-scale wall art—to expansive installations and light shows. During their visit, guests can also explore the impressive halls and hidden corners of the industrial wasteland on the banks of the Elbe. 

Visitors can get creative themselves

In addition to guided tours of the exhibition, the program includes a panel discussion on the future use of the site and numerous concerts by local musicians. With activities such as the screen-printing workshop or the graffiti workshop, visitors can get creative themselves. Children can let their imaginations run wild at a doodling table.

First edition in 2006 in Meerane

The “Industriebrachenumgestaltung”—Ibug for short—transforms brownfields into galleries for urban art at different locations every year. This year, the organizers are celebrating the event’s 20th anniversary. The festival traces its origins to an initiative by graffiti artist Tasso. It took place for the first time in 2006 in Meerane, in the Zwickau district.

Last year, Ibug was hosted in a former hospital in Chemnitz as part of the European Capital of Culture year. At the end of the event, the organizers reported a record attendance of 35,000 visitors.