Messiaen Days 2025 – Culture and memory in moving sounds: April in Görlitz and Zgorzelec

Messiaen Days 2025 continues its successful start with a program that offers not only musical highlights, but also an in-depth look at history, art and survival in the context of
World War II. Following the performance of “Quartet for the End of Time” on January 15, 2025, which was performed 84 years after its premiere at the historic site – the former prisoner of war camp Stalag VIII A Görlitz (now Zgorzelec) – Messiaen Days will continue from April 25 to 27, 2025 with various events in Görlitz and Zgorzelec. They are dedicated to art, as well as to the memory of the victims of captivity and the tragedy of World War II – but also to the current situation in Europe and the world: this makes the main themes of the festival of music, history and art more relevant than ever!

– Tickets are now available on our website www.messiaen-tage.eu!

Highlights of Messiaen Days 2025

This year’s Messiaen Days, to be held in Görlitz and Zgorzelec from April 25-27, 2025, will offer a wide range of events with cultural and historical themes. Right from the start, on Friday, April 25, 2025, a flash mob action in Görlitz’s Old Town will give an artistic touch that challenges the classic artist-spectator relationship and brings art directly to the public. On the same day, the introductory keynote lecture “Strength in Crisis” will be followed by a performance and concert by the Ganna Ensemble, which combines Ukrainian folk music with modern jazz elements and presents a deeply moving performance of Ukrainian resistance.

Organ concert on Saturday, April 26 at St. James Cathedral in Görlitz will have special significance, as works by Olivier Messiaen, Marcel Dupré and Charles-Marie Widor will be performed, creating an impressive link between religious symbolism and the experience of being a prisoner of war.

The “Poetische Federlese” concert – a piano recital by Lorenz Soulès combined with a poetry reading by Martina Gedeck – is another highlight of Messiaen Days 2025, which will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm in Rabrika, Görlitz. It is presented in cooperation with the Lausitz Festival.

On the same day, the “Fight for Freedom” discussion will focus on the current geopolitical situation, with particular attention to the role of Ukraine and European values. The question of the political power of music and art in the context of war and freedom will be addressed.

A place of memory and hope

Messiaen Days 2025 aims to keep alive not only the cultural heritage of Olivier Messiaen, but also the memory and history of Stalag VIII A Görlitz with and through his art. A key element is the close connection between art and memory: during a guided tour on Sunday, April 27, 2025, the individual fates of prisoners of war will be touched upon, and the personal tragedies behind the number of victims will put faces to the statistics.

The lecture, “The Power of Music,” also highlights the importance of music in the context of captivity and sheds light on how it was used as a means of survival, while also being used as a tool of terror.

Through a variety of concerts, lectures, readings and discussions, Messiaen Days places a lasting emphasis on memory and culture, bringing together both local and international perspectives.

Detailed information can be found on the Messiaen Days 2025 website: www.messiaen-tage.eu. In addition to the program and single tickets for individual events, you can also find a festival pass there, which is valid for all scheduled events.

Contact: Klaudyna Michalska
[email protected]
Meetingpoint Memory Messiaen e.V.
[email protected]

Görlitz and Zgorzelec