Festival 'Osten' in Bitterfeld-Wolfen: Kunst trifft auf Industriegeschichte
The third edition of the biennial festival 'Osten' is set to take place in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, under the theme 'Kraftwerk Zukunft' (Power Plant Future). Established by Aljoscha Begrich and Anne Diestelkamp, the festival reinterprets the 'Bitterfelder Weg' at the now-defunct Zschornewitz power plant, which was built in 1915 using forced labor and remained operational until 1992. Attendees will journey by vintage bus past the old mine to reach the venue. Anke Heelemann designs badges for a 'wandering exhibition,' while former employees recount their stories. Sven Johne's video 'Glück auf, ahoi!' addresses dementia and memory, and the exhibition 'Licht der Moderne' highlights the history of electric light. Rimini Protokoll's 'Sweat Machines' transforms sports gear into musical instruments, inviting audience participation in sound experiences.
Key facts
- Festival 'Osten' takes place biennially in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, since 2022.
- Founded by Aljoscha Begrich and Anne Diestelkamp.
- Third edition theme: 'Kraftwerk Zukunft'.
- Main venue: decommissioned power plant in Zschornewitz, built in 1915.
- Power plant closed in 1992 and became an industrial monument.
- Anke Heelemann creates custom visitor badges for the festival.
- Sven Johne's video 'Glück auf, ahoi!' deals with his father's dementia and mining history.
- Stefan Kolbe and Chris Wright's 2003 video 'Technik des Glücks' uses amateur films.
- Exhibition 'Licht der Moderne' curated by Bauhaus Lab 2025 and Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau.
- Rimini Protokoll's 'Sweat Machines' turns sports equipment into musical instruments.
Entities
Artists
- Aljoscha Begrich
- Anne Diestelkamp
- Anke Heelemann
- Sven Johne
- Stefan Kolbe
- Chris Wright
- Marianne Brandt
- Rimini Protokoll
Institutions
- Festival Osten
- Bauhaus Lab 2025
- Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau
Locations
- Bitterfeld-Wolfen
- Germany
- Zschornewitz
- Goitzschesee