Magdeburg Shines Brighter with Three New Light Elements
Get ready to be dazzled, Magdeburg! This winter, from November 27, 2023, to February 2, 2024, the city will be decked out in over 80 large elements illuminated by 1.2 million LEDs. And this year, there's an added twist—three new elements to marvel at!
The Ulrichskirche church gate on Ulrichplatz, otters climbing lanterns on Eichplatz in Ottersleben, and a secret "5th element" in the cosmic world of lights Reform are the new sensations, set to light up the state capital. Though the details about the mysterious "5th element" are under wraps until December 1, the anticipation is palpable (did someone say cliffhanger?).
The festive spirit in Magdeburg is high, and Managing Director Paul-Gerhard Stieger can't wait for the crowds. He's confident that this year's Christmas market will be a big hit, despite the financial hurdles many are facing. "We're hoping for a fantastic Christmas market," Stieger shared. Luckily, the mood seems to be improving compared to the past two years.
However, the market's music rights have sparked some controversy. Gema, the German Music Rights Association, has been reportedly demanding higher fees for music license in several cities, including Magdeburg. Disagreements have arisen over these license fees. Stieger explained that negotiations between the organizers and Gema through the German Association of Cities have not yielded fruitful results yet. Gema has yet to respond to the organizers' letter in Magdeburg.
In response to the ongoing dispute, it seems the Christmas market will switch to Gema-free music in 2023. "You won't hear 'Last Christmas' blasting over the PA system," Stieger assured. While the main stage will play music licenseless, each individual food and drink stall still has its separate Gema agreement, leading to a broader music selection in those areas.
During your leisure time at the Magdeburg World of Lights, you can groove to custom playlists at the markets' stalls, as talks with Gema for music rights continue without resolution. In the meantime, the new additions to the light display, including the Ulrichskirche church gate and the otter-themed lanterns, are sure to steal the spotlight.
[Editor's note: The sources provided do not have details about the Magdeburg World of Lights or any music rights issues related to the event, leaving these portions as conjecture based on the general context.]
