54th Greetsieler Woche

An East Frisian Institution for Over Five Decades

The Greetsieler Woche is far more than a summer exhibition: it is an integral part of the cultural identity of the Krummhörn region. What began in 1972 as a modest initiative by dedicated citizens has developed over the decades into one of the most renowned art exhibitions on the East Frisian coast. Greetsiel itself – with its thatched-roof houses, twin mills, and historic crab cutter harbor – provides the ideal backdrop for a festival that celebrates the relationship between landscape, tradition, and contemporary art.

The Ubbo-Emmius Elementary School as a Temporary Gallery

The venue is the Ubbo-Emmius elementary school, whose classrooms, corridors, and assembly hall are transformed into an extensive exhibition space during the festival week. The selection of works displayed follows a clear curatorial line: only artists whose works are of convincing quality are represented, without adhering to a single style. Realistic marine painting meets abstract color compositions, classical ceramics meet experimental sculpture, finely crafted jewelry meets large-format oil paintings.

Four Artistic Focus Areas

• Painting – Watercolor, oil, acrylic, and mixed media with a focus on landscapes, marine motifs, and abstract works
• Ceramics – Vessel ceramics, sculptures, and decorative objects by regional and supra-regional potters
• Goldsmithing – handmade unique jewelry pieces, often inspired by the formal language of the Wadden Sea
• Sculpture – works in wood, metal, stone, and mixed materials

The Jazz Evening as a Musical Highlight

A traditional element of the Greetsieler Woche is the jazz evening, which adds a musical dimension to the exhibition. In the school's rooms or courtyard – depending on the weather – a changing ensemble performs, creating an intimate atmosphere that allows the audience to stroll through the exhibition rooms one last time before the fishing village's nightly tranquility returns. The jazz evening is considered the social highlight of the week and regularly attracts guests from Emden, Aurich, and the entire Krummhörn region.

Greetsiel – A Postcard Idyll on the North Sea

The fishing village of Greetsiel forms the charming setting for the festival. With its approximately 1,500 inhabitants, East Frisia's oldest crab cutter harbor, and a protected old town with thatched-roof brick houses, the village is one of the most visited villages on the entire German North Sea coast. The Greetsieler Woche fits harmoniously into this tourist-dominated summer atmosphere and offers holidaymakers and locals alike a cultural depth that goes far beyond the usual beach program.