Protesting the Rise in Christmas Market Music Costs
In an unusual move, Dresden and Pirna's private Christmas markets will be silent on Monday as a form of protest against escalating music costs. These markets will join others in Germany, such as those in Magdeburg and Quedlinburg, in participating in the nationwide "Day of Silence." The markets have announced that there will be no background music or stage programs with musical accompaniment at Augustusmarkt, Advent on Neumarkt, Romantic Christmas Market on Taschenberg in Dresden, and Canalettomarkt in Pirna (district of Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains).
The operators argue that the urgency of the issue surrounding the appropriateness of these increased costs needs to be addressed. Playing music casually can often result in paying thousands of euros, far more than what would be due for concert or radio quality music. The increase in fees has been a significant concern for Christmas market organizers across Germany, with some cases seeing costs increase more than tenfold.
The administrator of music rights, Gema, has responded to these accusations. Gema Board member Georg Oeller stated that the basis for assessment has remained the same since 2011. However, some large, high-turnover markets, as per Oeller, have reported areas that are clearly too small. Gema has sent around 3,350 invoices to Christmas market operators across Germany for 2022, with higher fees in 167 cases, including some in the five-digit range.
Several cities in Saxony, including Meissen, have already launched a petition demanding transparent fees from Gema in mid-November. With the escalating costs, operators in cities like Meissen now need to consider alternative forms of entertainment to maintain the festive spirit without breaking the bank.
Visitors to the region during the Christmas season can still enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Neumarkt’s Advent and Taschenberg’s Romantic Christmas Market. Additionally, Saxony’s Saxon Switzerland region, which includes Pirna, offers opportunities for music enthusiasts to enjoy live performances at local venues. Other cultural attractions in Saxony, such as the renowned Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, can also be explored during this time.
Relevant Enrichment Data:
- While these sources do not specifically address how Christmas market operators in Germany are challenging music licensing fees or their impact on events in cities like Dresden and Meissen, they do provide insights into the cultural and economic aspects of Christmas markets and music licensing that might be relevant:
- Christmas markets in Germany and Austria are a significant cultural attraction, offering a variety of performances, including music.
- Strategies for Christmas market organizers to combat escalating music costs can include alternative forms of entertainment to preserve the festive atmosphere without breaking the bank.
Although these sources do not directly address the specific challenges related to music licensing fees in the context of Christmas markets in Germany, they provide valuable context for this topic. Additional research would be necessary to gain a more detailed understanding.
