Silence on Domplatz: Erfurt's Christmas Market Stands its Ground Against Gema Fees
With the jingle of bells and the hum of holiday cheer usually echoing through Erfurt's bustling Domplatz during the Christmas market season, an unusual silence fell upon the city last December. But despite the absence of music, the largest Christmas market in Thuringia attracted visitors aplenty, showcasing the market's enduring appeal.
"It's an explosive topic," said market master Sven Kaestner, addressing the controversy surrounding Gema fees. Like other Christmas markets across Germany, the Erfurt market took a stand against the steep rise in music rights expenses. A contentious issue, indeed, as Kaestner emphasized: "We're not against paying; it's just that we have many unanswered questions about our cooperation with Gema."
Following a recalculation, Gema, the entity that manages music rights, dramatically boosted the fees for the Erfurt market according to Kaestner. "The bill went from 7,000 euros in 2019 to a hefty 41,000 euros last year," he noted.
Gema bases its calculation on the total event area of the Christmas market. However, from Kaestner's perspective, the approach is flawed. Despite the fact that the stage program can't be heard from every corner of the Domplatz, the highest possible rate is charged for it. "It's like being charged the highest tariff for a premium cable subscription when you only watch a handful of stations," he said.
Gema, on the other hand, maintains that the assessment basis for music rights fees remains the same since 2011. Nevertheless, some large markets have reported areas smaller than the actual measurements. The discrepancy wasn't verified until 2022.
According to Gema, it issued around 3,350 invoices to Christmas market operators across Germany for 2022. In 167 cases, the fees increased, with 35 instances even surpassing the five-digit figure.
Related Factors
- Gema Fees: Gema is an organization that collects royalties for public performances of music. If Gema has raised its fees, it could potentially increase costs for businesses that play music in public spaces, including Christmas markets.
- Impact on Christmas Markets: Higher fees for music rights could result in higher operational costs for Christmas market organizers. Consequently, visitors may experience higher prices for goods and services, or even fewer music-related events and activities.
Taking a Stand
In a bid to maintain its prices and appeal, the Erfurt Christmas market joined others across Germany in protesting the escalating Gema fees. The decision reflects the resolve of organizers to resist financial burdens that could impact both their customers and their bottom line.
For now, visitors to Erfurt's Christmas market will enjoy music-free evenings, as market organizers seek a fair resolution with Gema. "Music is an essential part of the Christmas market experience, and we want to ensure it continues to be enjoyed by our visitors," Kaestner said.
Time will tell whether this collective protest will lead to a fairer assessment of music rights fees for Christmas markets, enabling them to continue delivering the cherished musical experience that has long endeared them to holiday revelers.
