Störtebeker Festival
The Störtebeker Festival (German: Störtebeker-Festspiele) is a yearly open-air theatre festival in Germany. It is based on stories around the medieval German privateer Klaus Störtebeker and his Victual Brothers, who later turned to pirates.
Founded in 1959, as part of an East German cultural initiative, the festival has become Germany's most successful open-air theatre event, and is broadcast by public television network NDR. It is held in the small town of Ralswiek on the isle of Rügen.
Background
In 1959, the "Rügenfestspiele" were founded in Ralswiek as part of a cultural commission of the GDR and the Ralswiek natural stage was created. The place for the then Rügen Festival was found in the spring of 1959 between Ralswiek Castle and the shore of the shallow Jasmund lagoon (german: "Jasmunder Bodden" [Bodden is a type of shallow lagoon typical of the southern Baltic Sea coast, especially in northeastern Germany.]), and the natural stage was then built in five months of construction and the village was converted into a festival venue.
From 1959 to 1961 and 1980 to 1981 the Dramatic Ballad "Klaus Störtebeker" by Kurt Barthel was performed under the direction of Hanns Anselm Perten and the choral direction of Günther Wolf with about 1,000 participants. A total of 670,000 visitors were counted during these five summers.
Production since 1993
Content
In contrast to the piece of the time, the legend of the pirate Klaus Störtebeker, who sailed the Baltic Sea with his Victual brothers at the end of the 14th century, is told at the Störtebeker Festival since 1993, each spread over a period of four to six years. The first instalment of a cycle typically telling the story of how Klaus becomes a pirate and the last instalment typically depicting his execution in Hamburg in 1401. The very first instalment bore the name "Wie einer Pirat wird" (How to become a Pirate) and starred Norbert Braun in the main role of Klaus Störtebeker. He went on to play him for the next 8 years until Sasha Gluth took over the role from 2002 until 2012. In 2006 the production was called In Henker's Hand, in which Klaus Störtebeker was beheaded. The fourth cycle spanned the period 2007-2012; the first episode in the summer of 2007 was titled Betrayed and Sold. In a break from the typical structure of a cycle, 2009 marked the beginning of a trilogy about Störtebeker's treasure. The cycle was completed by the piece Störtebeker's Death. In 2013, the narrative started from scratch with the Beginning of a Legend. Sascha Gluth was replaced by Bastian Semm and the role of Goedeke Michels was taken over by Andreas Euler. Both played their leading roles for a cycle long (2013-2017). Semm was succeeded by Alexander Koll who played the titular role for two instalments. In 2020 Koll announced that he was no longer going to star in the festival for personal reasons. Moritz Stephan was subsequently announced to replace him in the role, but due to COVID restrictions leading to the cancellation of the next 2 seasons, he was not able to debut until 2022.
Number of Visitors
On August 17, 2007, the 912th performance since 1993 counted the four millionth visitor.
On September 1, 2008, the 2005 season record was broken. On this day, the 367,000th visitor was counted, six performances before the end of the season. However, this record was broken again in 2009, with a total of 394,766 spectators attending the most successful open-air theatre in Germany this year.
On July 19, 2010, the 1091st performance since 1993 counted the five millionth visitor to Ralswiek. This results in an average of 4600 visitors per performance with a capacity of 8802 seats.
With the end of the 2016 season, the festival will attract more than 7.3 million visitors in 24 years and more than 1500 performances.
Contributors
The Störtebeker Festival employs more than 140 extras, 20 actors, 30 horses, four ships with skippers, and other behind-the-scenes staff. The casting of the extras takes place at the beginning of March of the respective year.
Actors with the Most Contributions
| Year(s) | Actor | Role | Performances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–2001 | Norbert Braun | Klaus Störtebeker | 540 |
| 1993–2001, 2003–2012 | Dietmar Lahaine | Goedeke Michels | 1198 |
| 2002–2012 | Sascha Gluth | Klaus Störtebeker | 719 |
| 2013–2017 | Bastian Semm | 335 | |
| Andreas Euler | Goedeke Michels | ||
| 2018–2019 | Alexander Koll | Klaus Störtebeker | 134 |
| since 2018 | Alexander Hanfland | Goedeke Michels | 408 |
| since 2022 | Moritz Stephan | Klaus Störtebeker | 274 |
| Actor | Performances | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfgang Lippert | 1523 | 2000–2001, since 2003 |
| Mike Hermann Rader | 1267 | 2003–2023 |
| Hans-Jörg Fichtner | 1259 | 1993–2012 |
| Norbert Braun | 1125 | since 2007 |
| Charles Lemming | 1011 | 2005–2006, 2008, 2011, since 2013 |
| Burkhard Kurth | 991 | 1993–2008 |
| Mircea Krishan | 796 | 1993–1997, 1999–2006 |
| Fred Braeutigam | 790 | 1993–2005 |
| Thomas Linke | 737 | 2009–2019 |
| Ben Hecker | 725 | 2003–2013 |
As of december 2025
Overview of performers
| Starring | Role | In the years |
|---|---|---|
| Norbert Braun | Klaus Störtebeker, various | 1993-2001, since 2007 |
| Sascha Gluth | Klaus Störtebeker | 2002–2012 |
| Bastian Semm | Klaus Störtebeker | 2013–2017 |
| Alexander Koll[1] | Klaus Störtebeker | 2018–2019 |
| Moritz Stephan[2] | Klaus Störtebeker | from 2021 |
| Dietmar Lahaine | Goedeke Michels, merchant Langendoorp | 1993–2001, 2003–2013, 2018 |
| Andreas Euler | Goedeke Michels | 2013–2017 |
| Alexander Hanfland[1] | Goedeke Michels | from 2018 |
| Wolfgang Lippert | Abellin, the ballad singer, various | 2000-2001, since 2003 |
| Mike Hermann Rader | Various | since 2003 |
| Thomas Linke | Various | seit 2009 |
| Charles Lemming | Wigbold, various | 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, since 2013 |
| Karin Hartmann | Queen Margaret, Fronica, various | 1993, since 2013 |
| Hans-Jörg Fichtner | Various | 1993–2012 |
| Burkhard Kurth | Various | 1993–2008 |
| Fred Braeutigam | various, now working behind the stage | 1993–2005 |
| Mircea Krishan | Various | 1993–1997, 1999–2006 |
| Roland Seidler | Various | 1993–2003 |
| Ben Hecker | Various | 2003–2013 |
| Sabine Kotzur | Various | 1993–2001 |
| Mario Ramos | Various | 2009–2015 |
| Nils Düwell | Various | 1998–2004 |
| Manfred Reddemann | Various | 1995–1996, 2005–2006, 2010 |
| Klaus-Peter Thiele | Various | 1998–2001, 2003 |
| Wolfgang Dehler | Various | 1996–1997, 1999–2001 |
| Sibylle Pape | Various | 1997, 2003–2007, 2010 |
| Robert Röske | Various | 1994, 1996–1997, 1999–2000 |
| Renate Blume | Various | 1999–2002 |
| Peter Theiss | Boatman | 2002–2005 |
| Julia Horvath | Orka tom Broke, Maraike | 2004–2006, 2012 |
| Ingrid van Bergen | Various | 2005–2008, 2010 |
| Robert Glatzeder | Brother Thomasius | 2007–2010 |
| Martina Guse | Various | 2004, 2008, 2010–2011 |
| Frank Rebel | Various | 2004–2005, 2007 |
| Jürgen Haase | Various | 2008–2009, 2011 |
| Claudia Gaebel | Mary, Elizabeth | 2010–2011, 2013 |
| Ronnie Paul | Schlunz | 1993–1995 |
| Patricia Schäfer | Ingeborg of Mecklenburg, Sophia of Pomerania-Wolgast | 2008, 2014, 2016 |
| Neithard Riedel | Various | 2012–2014 |
| Ben Bremer | Various | 2007, 2015, 2016 |
| Maria-Anne Müller | Various | 1997, 2000 |
| Heidemarie Wenzel | Various | 1999–2000 |
| Jörg Bundschuh | Various | 2001, 2006 |
| Roland "Rollo" Maier | Ballad singers | 2003–2004 |
| Heike Schober | Maraike | 1993–1994 |
| Peter Cwielag | Schlunz | 1996–1997 |
| Joachim Kretzer | Guy de Rigault | 2009–2010 |
| Daniela Kiefer | Valentina Visconti & Queen Margaret | 2009, 2014 |
| Susanne Szell | Tine, Sophia by Pomerania Wolgast | 2012, 2015 |
| Thomas Kornack | Short | 2013–2014 |
| Bianca Warnek | Baroness Ewa, Tetta tom Brok | 2016, 2017 |
| Carin Abicht | Various | 1993 |
| Cersten Jacob | Nightwatchman Wehmeier | 1994 |
| Grit Stephan | Orka tom Broke | 1995 |
| Ivette Richter | Frauke tom Broke | 1996 |
| Hans Hartz | Ballad singers | 2002 |
| Jenny Jürgens | Lady Ann | 2005 |
| Gerit Kling | Countess van Dooren | 2006 |
| Vanida Karun | Miranda | 2006 |
| Jan Baake | Hisko von Emden, water carrier, lead-wolter | 2006 |
| Christina Kraft | Agnes | 2007 |
| Nadja Kruse | Katarina | 2008 |
| Heiko Schendel | Councillor & City Guard | 2012 |
| Hans Hohlbein | Müller | 2012 |
| Sarah Hannemann | Ann-Marie | 2013 |
| Anna Lena Class | Elisabeth | 2014 |
| Marco Matthes | Edwin Westhoff | 2014 |
| Hans H. Steinberg | Hinrik Westhoff | 2014 |
| Anika Lehmann | Nadeshda | 2015 |
| Marco Bahr | Konrad von Jungingen | 2016 |
| Nicolas König | Simon von Ütrecht | 2017 |
| Philipp Richter | The Kleene | 2017 |
| Heinrich Rolfing | Henry van Ostergard | 2017 |
| Volker Zack | The Kleene | since 2018 |
| Sina-Valeska Jung | Selma, Queen Margaret | 2018 |
| Thomas Ziesch | Various | since 2018 |
| Nicola Ruf | Dorothea von Achenbach | 2018 |
| Frank Richartz | Aydan | 2018 |
| Greta Galisch de Palma | Smilla | 2019 |
| Krista Birkner | Queen of Denmark | 2019 |
Performances since 1993
| Playtime | Cycle | Duration | Title | Director | Performances | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | I. | 3 July - 29 August 1993 | How to become a pirate (Wie einer Pirat wird) | Roland Oehme | 58 | 78,060 |
| 2. | 2 July - 28 August 1994 | Fight for Stockholm (Kampf um Stockholm) | 58 | 136,985 | ||
| 3. | 1 July - 26 August 1995 | Storm on Gotland (Sturm auf Gotland) | 57 | 183,429 | ||
| 4. | 22 June - 31 August 1996 | Pirates of the West Sea (Piraten der Westsee) | 61 | 210,590 | ||
| 5. | 21 June - 30 August 1997 | The Sword of the Executioner (Das Schwert des Henkers) | 62 | 266,099 | ||
| 6. | II. | 20 June - 29 August 1998 | Broken Chains (Gesprengte Ketten) | 61 | 244,754 | |
| 7. | 26 June - 4 September 1999 | The Victual Brothers (Die Vitalienbrüder) | 61 | 292,413 | ||
| 8. | 24 June - 2 September 2000 | The Crusaders (Die Kreuzritter) | 61 | 296,974 | ||
| 9. | 23 June - 1 September 2001 | Hamburg-Hanse-Henker | 61 | 320,007 | ||
| 10. | III. | 22 June – 31 August 2002 | The Beach Robbers (Die Strandräuber) | 61 | 281,644 | |
| 11. | 28 June – 6 September 2003 | The Wolf of the Seas (Der Wolf der Meere) | Holger Mahlich | 61 | 335,208 | |
| 12. | 26 June – 4 September 2004 | In the Sign of the Cross (Im Zeichen des Kreuzes) | 61 | 340,423 | ||
| 13. | 25 June - 10 September 2005 | Pirates before Britain (Piraten vor Britannien) | 67 | 366,200 | ||
| 14. | 24 June – 9 September 2006 | In Executioner's Hand (In Henkers Hand) | 67 | 360,366 | ||
| 15. | IV. | 23 June – 8 September 2007 | Betrayed and sold (Verraten und verkauft) | 67 | 335,319 | |
| 16. | 21 June – 6 September 2008 | The Sea Wolf (Der Seewolf) | 67 | 377,916 | ||
| 17. | 20 June – 5 September 2009 | Störtebekers Gold Part 1 - The Legacy (Das Vermächtnis) | 67 | 394,766 | ||
| 18. | 19 June – 4 September 2010 | Störtebekers Gold Part 2 - The Curse of the Moor (Der Fluch des Mauren) | 67 | 381,858 | ||
| 19. | 18 June – 3 September 2011 | Störtebekers Gold Part 3 - The Treasure of the Templars (Der Schatz der Templer) | 67 | 360,097 | ||
| 20. | 23 June – 8 September 2012 | Störtebeker's Death (Störtebekers Tod) | 67 | 362,963 | ||
| 21. | V. | 22 June – 7 September 2013 | Beginning of a Legend (Beginn einer Legende) | Kai Maertens | 67 | 343,190 |
| 22. | 21 June – 6 September 2014 | God's Friend (Gottes Freund) | Peter Dehler | 67 | 355,125 | |
| 23. | 20 June – 5 September 2015 | Enemy of the World (Aller Welt Feind) | Thomas Schendel | 67 | 357,187 | |
| 24. | 18 June – 3 September 2016 | On Life and Death (Auf Leben und Tod) | 67 | 350,836 | ||
| 25. | 24 June – 9 September 2017 | In the Shadow of Death (Im Schatten des Todes) | Marco Bahr | 67 | 338,305 | |
| 26. | VI. | 23 June – 8 September 2018 | Call of Freedom (Ruf der Freiheit) | 67 | 310,405 | |
| 27. | 22 June – 7 September 2019 | Oath of the Righteous (Schwur der Gerechten) | 67 | 333,289 | ||
| 28. | 19 June – 11 September 2022 | In the Face of the Wolf (Im Angesicht des Wolfes) | 73 | ? | ||
| 29. | 24 June – 9 September 2023 | Gotland unter Feuer (Gotland under Fire) | Louis Villinger & Cordula Jung | ? | ? | |
| 30. | 15 June – 31 August 2024 | Hamburg 1401 | ? | ? | ||
| 31. | VII. | 28 June – 13 September 2025 | Privateers of the Seas (Freibeuter der Meere) | ? | ? | |
| 32. | 20 June – 5 September 2025 | Likedeeler | ? | ? |
Economic Situation
The number of visitors to the spectacle has increased significantly since 1993. In 2006, there was a small decrease in the number of visitors, which was also in line with the general trend in tourism figures on the island of Rügen and was due to the bad weather and the economic situation in Germany. In 2007, however, there was another increase and the 2008 season began with a significant increase in viewers.
Störtebeker Festspiele GmbH & Co. KG is a private family business that does not receive government subsidies and is co-financed by sponsors. The new media partner has been the NDR's.
Peter Hick has been theatre director of the Störtebeker Festspiele since 1993. His wife Ruth Hick and daughter Anna-Theresa Hick are managing directors of the company.
References
- 1 2 "Die neuen Helden nehmen Kurs auf Ralswiek". 2018-02-15. Archived from the original on 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ↑ "Das ist der neue Klaus Störtebeker bei den Festspielen auf Rügen". OZ - Ostsee-Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2020-06-05.
External links
Media related to Störtebeker-Festspiele at Wikimedia Commons