At Beethovenfest, we don’t just come together to listen to music, but also to discuss it, have a nice chat in between or attend lectures. Photographer Patrick Essex has captured the moments of encounter in his unmistakable visual language.
Where we meet – at Beethovenfest 2023, this was above all at the Festival Centre Kreuzkirche. In keeping with the motto »Music about life«, the Bonn-based artist collective freeters designed the church to be colourful and open. This is where visitors met and exchanged ideas. Many events at this year’s festival centred on exchange: for example, there was a lecture for the first time; discussion formats and a panel discussion are already a tradition. We explored the big question of the festival: What will lead the world and classical music to a more sustainable future?
Four discourse events in particular were supported by the new fellowship programme.
Encounter was also the main theme of the »Singing and Buzzing« community day. Young and old were invited to make their own music in the crazy atmosphere of BaseCamp Bonn: improvisation, dance, songwriting or in a pop-up choir. Under the guidance of the adventurous musicians from the Stegreif Orchester, spontaneous musical conversations were created.
The kick-off of »Tuned«, a newly founded network for classical music festivals, was a whole day full of exchanging ideas and visions. Anyone who wanted to get to know the organisers of Germany’s most innovative festivals was in the right place here. We got to know each other even better in numerous dialogue formats, group discussions and small musical showcases.