Jänschwalde Brass Music Festival

Brass Music with an International Flair in Lower Lusatia

Jänschwalde (Sorbian: Janšojce) is a municipality in the Spree-Neiße district, located between Cottbus and Guben. The village lies within the Sorbian-Lower Sorbian settlement area and also embodies the industrial identity of Lusatia: the nearby Jänschwalde power plant is one of Germany's largest lignite-fired power stations. Amidst this landscape, the Jänschwalde Brass Musicians Association, together with WIR für Jänschwalde, cultivates a strong brass music tradition, culminating in the festive Brass Music Festival at the rectory.

International Orchestras and Regional Bands

Several orchestras perform one after another at the rectory on Kirchstraße during the festival — from the local Jänschwalde Brass Musicians to Brandenburg associations and international guest bands from the Czech Republic, Poland, or Hungary. The program ranges from Bohemian and Moravian brass music to marches, polkas, and modern arrangements.

Regional Cuisine and Drinks

The festival features the regional cuisine and drinks of Lower Lusatia: hearty sausage varieties, potato dishes, homemade cakes — and of course, the popular local beer and traditional wine from the Spree-Neiße region. The associations are responsible for catering to guests, and admission to the festival grounds is affordably priced.

Two-Year Cycle and Association Tradition

The Brass Music Festival takes place every two years. The organizers are the association WIR für Jänschwalde and the Jänschwalder Blasmusikanten e.V., with contact available at [email protected]. The festival is part of a broader summer event series in the municipality of Jänschwalde, which also includes the Brandenburg Countryside Tour (Brandenburgische Landpartie) and the Festival of Contrasting Music (Musikfest der Gegensätze).

Spree-Neiße — Sorbian Brandenburg

The Spree-Neiße district in southern Brandenburg is part of the Lower Sorbian settlement area. Sorbian language, traditional costumes, and customs shape many villages in the region — from Drachhausen to Werben. The Brass Music Festival in Jänschwalde fits seamlessly into this vibrant festival culture, where associations play a central role.