Bautzen/Budyšin | Drachhausen/Hochoza | Crostwitz/Chrósćicy

Did you ever visit the smallest Slavic nation – the Sorbs? The Sorbs settled in the 6th century in the eastern part of Saxony, where the Sorbian language, culture and traditional costumes are still present. A good opportunity to get to know the Sorbs is the 14th Folklore festival "Lusatia" – which is organized by DOMOWINA – Union of Lusatian Sorbs and many other partners and takes place 26.06.-29.06.2025 in Crostwitz , in the historical city of Bautzen which is also a centre of the Sorbian life with several Sorbian institutions and in Drachhausen in Lower Lusatia.
Of course, the festival will also combine other minorities and ethnic groups from everywhere in the world. On each day there are performances, colourful programmes and entertainment.

So use this opportunity to visit the area between Bautzen and Kamenz with its two different languages and get to know the home, culture and the traditions of the Sorbian people. Nevertheless, the focus of this festival is on the minorities and ethnic groups from all over the world. Together with the participants from Lusatia and other parts of Germany they'll present their unique folklore and will enchant you with their songs, dance arts and traditional costumes. We welcome you to Lusatia to the International Folklore Festival.

The festival starts on Thursday with a parade through the city of Bautzen where the participants introduce themselves. This is followed by the opening ceremony on the main stage of the German-Sorbian People's Theatre

On Friday evening the programmes of international folklore takes place in the farmsteads in Drachhausen in Lower Lusatia.

On Saturday, the traditional and festively decorated farmsteads await you in Crostwitz with music and dance by the folklore groups, who are also happy to invite you to join in. Culinary delicacies from Lusatia and from our guest groups will be offered in the usual way. Just taste it! Afterwards, everyone, but especially young people, is invited to dance and sing along to the "Crostwitz Special" on a farm. One farm will host young dancers and musicians as well as the presentation of the intangible cultural heritage in the afternoon. At the same time, the market for traditional trades opens and can also be seen and experienced throughout Sunday.

Sunday begins in Crostwitz with a multilingual festival service. Afterwards you can enjoy a colourful afternoon, beginning with the parade of the participants through Crostwitz and the thematic programme of Lusatian folklore groups. In the closing festival finale, you will once again experience a folkloric firework display with the top performances of the groups in terms of dance and music.

So enjoy these days of domestic and international folklore and get to know the richness of languages and traditions of minorities from everywhere in the world, still living today.