FAQ
What is OSTEN?
OSTEN is a festival for art and mutual interest that will take place for the second time in Bitterfeld-Wolfen from June 1st to 16th, 2024. From here, the festival explores and celebrates the former East of Germany and also the East beyond that as an experiential landscape of transformation for people, nature and coexistence. OSTEN will be a rendezvous with history, the future and other unknowns. More here.
Why is the festival taking place in Bitterfeld-Wolfen?
With our festival, we want to build something where the basic experience is characterized by dismantling and closure. In the search for a place for art in the East German landscape of transformation, Bitterfeld-Wolfen with its breathtaking stories and its very special atmosphere is an ideal location.
Who is behind the festival?
OSTEN is an idea and initiative of Kulturpark e.V. Founded in 2019 and based in Sandersdorf-Brehna, the association is committed to the development and networking of cultural structures in eastern Germany. Kulturpark e.V. was founded to provide social and political history with platforms for storytelling, but above all to paint a different, new picture of the East with the help of art. The association is the sponsor and organizer of the festival. Aljoscha Begrich, Christine Leyerle and Ludwig Haugk are members of the board and founded the festival. Aljoscha Begrich and Susanne Beyer, who curate the program for the 2024 festival together with Anne Diestelkamp, Martin Naundorf and Christian Tschirner. Together with the OSTEN team and numerous partners, the structure of the festival has been developed in a continuous process since 2018.
More information at www.kultur-park.de.
Who is working on the festival program?
Numerous artists from Saxony-Anhalt, other parts of Germany and the world work on OSTEN; a network of cultural institutions, universities and associations and people from Bitterfeld-Wolfen and the surrounding area. OSTEN aims to create encounters with the help of art and thrives on the commitment of all those involved.
When will the program be published and where can I find it?
We have published our festival program in April. You can go on a discovery tour in the event calendar and filter individual productions by genre.
Can I come with children and teenagers?
Absolutely! Many of the artworks on the PARCOURS and the open workshops, the MORNING CLUB and more are also suitable for children. The ATELIER FÜR GEGENSEITIGES INTERESSE around the festival center at the old fire station in Wolfen with its water slide and swimming pool is also suitable.
Families are especially invited to the bicycle excursion EWIGKEITSPROBLEME and the closing picnic WIE SCHMECKT BITTERFELD-WOLFEN?
There are also many family-friendly plays, especially on the second and third festival weekends (June 7 to 9 and 14 to 16). We recommend that families with younger children (under 10 years of age) especially visit:
- GRÜSSE AUS WOLFEN (June 7th, 3 – 3.45 p.m.)
- ALLEE DER TAUSEND DÜFTE (June 8th, 2.30 – 3.30 p.m.)
- GEDANKENFLIEGER (June 14th, 4 – 4.45 p.m.)
- DER SCHÖNE UND DIE BIEST (June 16th, 3 – 4 p.m.)
We recommend families with older children and teenagers:
- AUF SCHICHT (June 1st, 5 – 6.30 p.m., June 2, 4 – 5.30 p.m.)
- HANDARBEIT (June 7th, 8 – 8.45 p.m., 9 – 9.45 p.m., June 9th, 4 – 4.45 p.m., 5 – 5.45 p.m.)
- EWIGKEITSPROBLEME (June 8th, 11 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.)
- TYRANNOSAURUS REGINA (June 8th, 4 – 5.30 p.m., 7 – 8.30 p.m., June 9th, 2.30 – 4 p.m., 5 – 6.30 p.m.)
- VERGLÜHENDE LANDSCHAFTEN (June 9th, 8 – 9.15 p.m.)
- PAUL UND PAULA AUF DER SUCHE NACH DEM GLÜCK OHNE ENDE (June 14th, 6 – 7.30 p.m.)
- BAGGERN (June 14th, 8 – 9.15 p.m., June 15th, 5 – 6.15 p.m.)
- NAMEN, DIE WIR TRAGEN (June 15th, 4 – 4.45 p.m.)
For our ticketed events, there is a family ticket for €30 for two adults and two children. Please select the family ticket and the corresponding number of free accompanying tickets in the ticket store. For each additional child you can buy 5 € tickets.
What can I do to support you?
We are happy about everyone who wants to support us! You can support us by getting involved in the organization of our festival on site or by donating to us. Donations can be made via PayPal or by bank transfer:
Name: Kulturpark e.V.
IBAN: DE24 8005 3722 0305 0429 98
BIC: NOLADE21BTF (Kreissparkasse Anhalt-Bitterfeld)
For donations under €300, a simple proof of payment (bank statement or similar) is sufficient as proof for the tax office. For donations over €300, we will be happy to issue a donation receipt. Please write your postal address in the reference field.
When and how can I buy tickets?
Tickets for our events are available from April 15. Many events are free of charge. You can find all information about tickets here.
I am a teacher and would like to come with my school class. Who can I contact?
We are looking forward to read from you at besuch@osten-festival.de and will get back to you as soon as possible with information about your visit.
I would like to come with a group. Who can I contact?
We are looking forward to hear from you at besuch@osten-festival.de and will get back to you as soon as possible with information about your visit.
Is it possible to buy food and drinks at the festival?
At the festival center, companies from Bitterfeld-Wolfen and the region will be offering a wide range of savory and sweet food and drinks. In addition, there will be a number of offers on the campus of Bitterfeld-Wolfen Town Hall and in front of the Kulturhaus.
Where can I stay overnight in Bitterfeld-Wolfen?
In Wolfen there is the Deutsches Haus. Not far away are the Bitterfelder Hof (8 minutes from the festival center by car or 15 minutes by bike) and the Musikhotel Goldener Spatz (25 minutes from the festival center by S-Bahn), which are also suitable for overnight stays.
What else can I visit in Bitterfeld-Wolfen besides the festival?
The museums of the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district (Wolfen Industrial and Film Museum and the Music Gallery on the Goitzsche, Bitterfeld District Museum) offer special conditions during the festival period. Current information can be found here.
How do I get to Club 84 in Wolfen-Nord?
Club 84 in Wolfen-Nord is a 15-minute bike ride from the festival center. Buses also run to Wolfen-Nord at regular intervals.
Which events can I go to if I don't speak German?
Many installations in the PARCOURS are accessible without language. There are some installations with english sound, e.g.:
- KINOTEATR RODINA (Installation with an audiobook, in English)
There are also GUIDED TOURS THROUGH THE PARCOURS by the Festival team (upon request).
There are also some EVENTS in english spoken language or with english translation:
- GUIDED TOUR ABOUT THE FILM PRODUCTION (2nd June and 8th June, 4 – 6 p.m., in English)
- HANDARBEIT (7th June, 8 – 8.45 p.m., 9 – 9.45 p.m., 9th June, 4 – 4.45 p.m., 5 – 5.45 p.m., Language no problem)
- DENKEN WIE EIN WALD – CO-DESIGN MIT MYCELIUM (14th June, 3 – 6 p.m., in English)
- STEP GENTLY (15th June, 3 – 5 p.m., in English)
- COMPULSIVE DESIRES: ON LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND REBELLIOUS MOUNTAINS (15th June, 6 – 7 p.m., in English)
- ERDVERKOSTUNG (16th June, 3 – 4.30 p.m., in English)
Do you have an awareness team?
For every question, there is a person who is there for you. You can always find the festival team at the info point in the festival center in the fire station. You can approach us at any time.
All employees can be approached if you have observed or experienced assaultive, transgressive and/or discriminatory behavior.
Please report all incidents (regardless of whether you have only observed them or have been affected yourself) to security, the visitor service or directly to the festival team (the team wears uniform festival T-shirts). Incidents can also be reported by email to kontakt@kultur-park.de.
People who need a place to retreat can be accompanied to the retreat room if necessary. Water is available there.
