Like every year on Whitsun Gothic people from all over the world come together in Leipzig / Germany to celebrate the Wave-Gotik- Treffen, this time already for the 19th time from 21st to 24th May. Since many years the Treffen is celebrated as a THE international gathering of the “dark family”. It is the biggest gathering of its kind worldwide.

All over the city there will be performing about 180 bands, projects and single artists covering the whole wide range of Gothic music: from Electro-Pop to Goth-Metal, from EBM to Neofolk, from medieval music to Industrial. The concerts and events take place at about 40 venues spread over whole Leipzig, for instance in the vaults of the Moritzbastei, in the splendid neo-antique cupola hall of the Volkspalast, in the green round of the openair Parkbühne, as well as in large concert halls.

Traditionally, the crazy Gothic converts are contrasted by including some of the finest classical music in the program as well. This year WGT guests may listen to bombastic Wagner sounds in an old industrial hall or to the moving tunes of Mozart’s requiem in the impressive crypt of the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Europe’s biggest monument). We have even booked Leipzig’s Opera house for a Stravinsky ballet evening, for Adolphe Adam’s entchanting romantic ballet Giselle and for Verdi’s tragic masterpiece La Traviata.

From its beginning the Wave-Gotik-Treffen has been much more than a music festival: Its guests may switch back to the romantic atmosphere of ancient times at the medieval market place and a at pagan village, we will have authors reading, unusual theatre and cinematic performances will take place as well as a big role play. One of Leipzig’s most beautiful cafes with an outstanding historical interior will be the daily setting of an opulent brunch meal accompanied by live chamber music. At the same place a big baroque ball will invite for historic ballroom dancing in appropriate costumes. A large hall on agra-fairground (the wide place of the German agricultural fair) will turn into the biggest Gothic-warehouse of the world for four days.

DJs from all over the world will let you celebrate unforgettable special parties until dawn. There will also be a large fetish party where entrance is only possible following a strict voluptuous dress code. A stroll through the city centre of Leipzig is especially worthwhile for art lovers: The entrance to the huge art museum (Bildermuseum) is free for WGT-guests. A wide range of important artworks of all époques can be viewed there as well as a temporary exhibition of works by Neo Rauch, a world-famous painter from Leipzig.

A cheap and entertaining accommodation is the huge Treffen camping ground. To enter, one needs a special ticket (called Obsorgekarte) which includes also the extensive WGT-program-book. The public transport in the city is free for all WGT-guests from Friday morning until Tuesday noon.
The inhabitants of Leipzig are familiar with the Treffen since 18 years - there are no prejudices and the gothic guests are very welcome here. The most fascinating thing during the Wave-Gotik-Treffen is the unique atmosphere that covers the whole city. Gothics from all over the world are celebrating their gathering peacefully and with enthusiasm, turning Leipzig into a diverse black. Once a year about twenty thousand Gothics are coming home: to the Wave-Gotik-Treffen. We would be happy to welcome you in Leipzig too. Visit the Treffen – your dark friends from all over the world are already there!

See you! The Treffen-Team