Karl May Festival in Radebeul traces the Winnetou myth

This year's Karl May Festival in Radebeul on the last weekend in May is all about his famous literary character Winnetou, chief of the Apaches. "Winnetou stands for values that are more important than ever in today's society," said the director of the Karl May Museum, Robin Leipold. "He is an idol who shows us how important it is to build bridges between cultures and break down prejudices." The festival patron is the Leipzig author Clemens Meyer, who thematized the character of Winnetou in his current novel "The Projectors".

The organizers announced a weekend "full of culture, music and adventure" for the 32nd edition (30 May to 1 June), with new hands-on activities for children, the traditional star rider parade with around 150 horses and indigenous guests from North America. Twelve clubs dressed up in costumes to create an authentic atmosphere and the opportunity to "immerse yourself in the world of Karl May". The city expects around 30,000 visitors to the spectacle in the Lößnitzgrund.

Insights into the culture

Navajo and Lakota families provide insights into their lives, customs and culture, songs and dances. Musicians from Germany and abroad offer a mix of genres from country and rockabilly to Native American rock, folk and world music. Gold panning and treasure hunting are also part of the program.

The festivities commemorate the adventure writer Karl May (1842-1912) and his books. He lived in Radebeul from 1888 until his death and wrote significant parts of his oeuvre there. A museum commemorates this in his former home Villa Shatterhand, which May bought in 1895, and the Villa Bärenfett, which was built in 1926. It was opened in 1928 by his widow Klara with the collection of his Indian friend Patty Frank, which has been preserved to this day.