Rudolstadt-Festival

Rudolstadt 2025 — Focus Country Mali

From July 3rd to 6th, 2025, the 33rd edition of the Rudolstadt-Festival dedicated significant focus to Mali. The Malian music of the 1970s was brought back to life by the Berlin big band project Le Mali 70 Earkestra — accompanied by a documentary featuring Salif Keita, among others. Vieux Farka Touré, son of Ali Farka Touré, presented his blend of John Lee Hooker blues and Malian tradition on stage, while Ami Yerewolo represented the contemporary Malian rap scene.

In addition, the 44th Euroradio Folk Festival took place, featuring musicians from all over Europe. The Bundesjugendfolkorchester (Federal Youth Folk Orchestra) also returned for the second time. As in previous years, around 300 events were spread across nearly 30 stages in Rudolstadt's city center — from Heidecksburg and the Heidecksburg Castle grounds to small halls and open-air stages on the market square.