Festival of Political Songs

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{{Infobox music festival

| name =Festival of Political Songs
{{lang|de|Festival des politischen Liedes|italic=no}}

| image =Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1989-0217-028, Berlin, Festival des politischen Liedes.jpg

| image_size =300px

| caption =SWAPO Children's Choir, 1989

| location =East Berlin, East Germany

| years_active =1970–1990

| founders =Oktoberklub, Free German Youth

| dates =February

| genre = Rock, folk, political music

| attendance =

| capacity =

| website =

}}

The Festival of Political Songs ({{langx|de|Festival des politischen Liedes|link=no|italic=no}}) was one of the largest music events in East Germany, held between 1970 and 1990. It was hosted by the Free German Youth and featured international artists.

History

The Festival of Political Songs was founded by the group {{lang|de|Oktoberklub|italic=no}} and took place in East Berlin every February from 1970–1990 as an official event of the Free German Youth. The event was first organized by the Berlin division, but from 1975 on was directed by the Central Committee of the Free German Youth.

Artists from 60 countries participated in the event during its durations, and the event would usually feature between 50 and 80 artists across around 30 countries. Prominent artists who have performed at the festival include Mikis Theodorakis, Miriam Makeba, Quilapayún, Inti-Illimani, Silvio Rodríguez, Mercedes Sosa, Gabino Palomares, {{ill|Canzoniere delle Lame|it}}, and Pete Seeger accompanied by Chilean-exile and Berkeley based folk group Grupo Raiz.{{Cite web|title=Festivalteilnehmer 1970–1990 – Festival Musik und Politik|url=https://www.musikundpolitik.de/archive/festivalteilnehmer-1970-1990/|access-date=2020-07-01|language=de-DE}} The mascot of the festival was a red sparrow named Oki (derived from {{lang|de|Oktoberklub|italic=no}}).

After the collapse of East Germany, the festival lost financial support and infrastructure. In order to continue the tradition, a new festival called the {{lang|de|ZwischenWelt|italic=no}} Festival was held between 1991 and 1995. Its supporting organization dissolved in 1995 because of financial difficulties.

Gallery

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1989-0215-032, LPG Hohenschönhausen, Besucher aus Nordkorea.jpg|Visitors to the festival from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 1989

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J0215-0017-001, Berlin, Hartmut König.jpg|German singer-songwriter {{ill|Hartmut König|de}} (right)

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-L0215-0039, Berlin, 3. Festival des politischen Liedes.jpg|Musicians gather at the 3rd festival

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-L0216-0033, Berlin, 3. Festival des politischen Lieds.jpg|Hartmut König with Bhupen Hazarika at the 3rd festival

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-T0219-0004, Berlin, 8. Festival des politischen Lieds.jpg|Palast der Republik, 8th festival

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1988-0216-033, Berlin, Festival des politischen Liedes.jpg|{{ill|Gerhard Schöne|de}}, 1988

See also

{{Portal|Rock music}}

References

{{reflist}}