Entertainment · Books & Arts · 11 hrs ago
Burgrieden Karl May festival files for insolvency, cancels 2027 season
The Karl May festival in Burgrieden, Germany, has filed for insolvency.
The open-air performances bring stories by German writer Karl May, including adventures featuring Winnetou and Old Shatterhand, to the stage.
Five performances were canceled this summer because severe weather made it unsafe to perform with horses.
The cancellations caused lost income, and the insurer has not paid out while the dispute is being resolved.
About 22,000 people attended this season, but the 2027 season has been canceled, including a planned production of “Old Shatterhand.”
The festival’s future is unclear, and an insolvency administrator is expected to provide information about tickets and vouchers after being appointed by the local court.
The Karl May Festival in Burgrieden, Baden-Württemberg, has filed for insolvency and cancelled its 2027 season.
Managing director Claudia Huitz said five performances were cancelled in summer 2026 because of bad weather, and the insurer has so far not covered the lost income.
About 22,000 people attended the festival during the 2026 season.
The planned 2027 production of “Old Shatterhand” will not go ahead as scheduled.
The festival’s future is uncertain while the insurance dispute is being handled through legal channels.
- Who
- The Karl May Festival in Burgrieden, run by Festspiele Burgrieden GmbH, filed for insolvency. Managing director Claudia Huitz submitted the application.
- What
- The festival filed for insolvency and cancelled its 2027 season.
- When
- The insolvency application was submitted on October 25, 2026. The 2027 season was cancelled.
- Where
- Burgrieden, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
- Why
- Five performances were cancelled because of severe weather, and the insurer has so far not covered the resulting lost income.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Karl May Festival in Burgrieden began presenting the author’s adventure stories as open-air theatre.
Five performances of “The Treasure of Silver Lake” were cancelled because of severe weather.
Claudia Huitz filed an insolvency application for Festspiele Burgrieden GmbH.
The planned season, including a production of “Old Shatterhand,” was cancelled.
- 2026 attendance
- About 22,000 visitors
- Cancelled performances
- Five performances of “The Treasure of Silver Lake
- Insolvency filing
- October 25, 2026
- Planned 2027 production
- Old Shatterhand
- Festival location
- Burgrieden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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What people are saying
I am convinced that the fault is not ours. The lawyers and courts will now clarify this.
I’ll say it openly: It is a catastrophe.
I wish from the bottom of my heart that performances continue on this stage.