Lessingfestival Wolfenbüttel (biennial)

Lessing and Wolfenbüttel

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–1781) worked as a librarian at the Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel from 1770 until his death in 1781. During this period, significant works of his later phase were created here, including "Emilia Galotti", "Nathan the Wise", and the series of theological polemics surrounding the "Fragments of an Unknown". Wolfenbüttel is thus inextricably linked with Lessing's creative output and, with the Lessinghaus, also houses the residence where the poet spent his Wolfenbüttel years.

Biennial Festival with a Broad Spectrum

The Lessingfestival has established itself as a biennial event in the cultural landscape of Lower Saxony. Over several days, it combines a diverse programme: performances of Lessing's dramatic works in contemporary productions, readings from his philosophical and aesthetic writings, academic symposia on current Lessing research, concerts featuring 18th-century music, city tours retracing Lessing's steps, and encounters with contemporary authors who reference Lessing.

Venues in the 'Lessingstadt'

The main stage for the festival is the Lessingtheater on Harztorwall. Other central locations include the Herzog August Bibliothek with its baroque main hall, the Lessinghaus as the historical residence, and the Hauptkirche Beatae Mariae Virginis (BMV). City tours and performances also open up other significant locations in the 'Lessingstadt' to the festival audience.