Nr. 20: 2 - 4 July 2010

Anniversary & Symposium time - A two-day symposium for the 20^th festival. Tanzfest’ new era came under the title One world for music. After 1994 the EBU Contemporary Folk Music Festival train stopped at the river Saale’ “knee”. With only 25 participating artists we stayed just below the record result of 16 years ago however, unlike then, we provided a Country in Focus.

Ethiopia was small but fine and five artists took care of some highly acclaimed concerts and was a little reminiscent of what 1991 could’ve been like, with Jablkoň, Elena Ledda and Wellküren. Somewhat more extensive than usual was the Magic project: four trumpets, two trombones, a tuba and flugelhorn, each one to drums and percussion - the composition promising two exciting concerts. And that kept expectations high.

Tap dance was the dance of the year, in spite of everything Burns'/Freiligrath made a special dedication, RUTH went to Kwart, Red Front, Bayon and Das Malzhaus. When Mike Kamps delivered his musician talks the visitors ‘Kamp-ated’ in front of the open windows because there was no more room inside, and at the final concert of the Leningrad Cowboys at the castle, the hill slumped by several centimeters from the weight of the spectators. Great concerts included: Kala Ramnath and Hannes Löschel Stadtkapelle in the National Theatre, Sophie Hunger at the castle, Dreigesang and Benedicte Maurseth in the town church, Blue King Brown and the Afro Celt Sound System in Heinepark. Incidentally, not only was it TFF 20th but 50 years ago the precursor to the Thuringian Folklore Dance Ensemble Rudolstadt eV was founded in Gera, so it was a double birthday celebration for the ensemble that traditionally open the festival.

It was also time to say goodbye to a team member of the first hour, Country Director Peter Uhlmann, who went into early retirement. He will however continue to work in a loose capacity with the Street musicians.