"Free festivities in Stuttgart, where the wildness is slightly subdued"
The Umsonst & Draußen Festival: A Celebration of Community, Music, and Politics in Stuttgart
The Umsonst & Draußen (U & D) festival, held annually in Stuttgart, Germany, is a unique event that brings together music, politics, and culture for a weekend filled with freedom, community, and solidarity [1]. This year, the festival marked its 44th edition, attracting over 3000 visitors who enjoyed perfect weather and a diverse lineup of performers.
A Festival for the People, by the People
Umsonst & Draußen is a non-commercial, free-entry event that prides itself on being community-driven, with no admission fees, no commercial sponsorships, and no fenced areas [1]. This approach creates a purely community-driven experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the festival without financial barriers.
A Melting Pot of Music and Culture
The festival features a curated mix of local and emerging artists, chosen based on "relevance, sound, and energy" rather than fame [1]. This year, the event showcased 18 bands, four singer-songwriters, and a variety of music genres, including indie-rock, rap, Celtic folk, and more.
Beyond music, Umsonst & Draußen offers a blend of activities, including political discussions, workshops, circus acts, children's programs, and interactive cultural events [1]. The festival provides a broad cultural-political platform, reflecting its commitment to openness, social engagement, and artistic expression.
The Edible Region and the Uhlbacher Allmends
The Edible Region Stuttgart project, located in Uhlbach, provides access for harvesting to its current ten active members and any newcomers [1]. Visitors can pick whatever grows and thrives in the Uhlbacher Allmends, as stated by Carolin Jaschek from the association [1]. Apples and mirabelles, grown on plots of land leased from the former orchard operation Hammer and now maintained as allmends, are also free at the festival, distributed by the Uhlbacher Allmenden e. V. Edible Region stand.
A Political Statement
Umsonst & Draußen has a clear left-alternative orientation, providing a platform for political groups working in Stuttgart [1]. This year, the festival was part of the political motto "Concrete Utopia: Solidary Society," along with other initiatives like the refugee council and the network against the right [1]. Freifunk.net, which works for free internet access for all, including refugees, asylum seekers, and the homeless, is also part of the political motto [1].
Additional Activities and Encounters
The festival also offers additional activities such as yoga and a piece about friendship from Theater Lokstoff! for children [1]. Umsonst & Draußen had special encounters with the young artists from Circus Harmony from the partner city St. Louis and the Circus Circuli from the city youth ring with artistic peace pyramids [1].
Sustainability and Funding
The festival is primarily funded by the sale of food and drinks, along with sponsorship money and city funding [1]. The festival's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of a lime tree water tap for free drinking water [1].
In conclusion, Umsonst & Draußen is Stuttgart’s largest noncommercial music-politics-culture festival, unique in its freedom from economic constraints, its strong roots in community and politics, and its diverse, risk-taking cultural programming [1].
[1] Information obtained from various sources, including the Umsonst & Draußen website and news articles.
- The Edible Region Stuttgart project, part of Umsonst & Draußen, offers visitors the opportunity to pick their own fruits from the Uhlbacher Allmends.
- Beyond music and politics, Umsonst & Draußen offers workshops, circus acts, children's programs, and interactive cultural events.
- The festival caters to diverse tastes with a lineup that includes genres such as indie-rock, rap, Celtic folk, and more.
- The festival's political leanings are evident in its partnership with groups working for refugee rights, free internet access, and countering right-wing ideologies.
- Umsonst & Draußen also includes additional activities such as yoga, theatre performances for children, and collaborations with international circus groups.
- To promote sustainability, the festival funds itself primarily through the sale of food and drinks, and provides free drinking water via a lime tree water tap.
