Spectacular premiere of the Störtebeker Festival delights 8,000 spectators!

Spectacular premiere of the Störtebeker Festival delights 8,000 spectators!

The wait is over: The eagerly awaited Störtebeker Festival 2025 celebrated its premiere on June 28th in Ralswiek on the magical island of Rügen. Around 8,000 spectators filled the open-air stage to experience the production “Buccaneers of the Seas”, which was packed with action and emotions. Directed by Louis Villinger and Cordula Jung, the return of Klaus Störtebeker on his exciting hero's journey was impressively staged. The first fifteen minutes of the performance caused a lot of excitement - with a bar brawl, spectacular bombings and even a fall from a church tower.

The festival runs until September 13, 2025 and offers live theater action on one of the largest open-air stages in Europe from Monday to Saturday at 8:00 p.m. This year, spectators can expect an impressive ensemble of more than 150 participants, including 30 horses and four cogs. The famous pyro effects under the direction of Fred “Feuerstein” Braeutigam also thrilled the audience and promise a visual fireworks display that will shine over the Great Jasmunder Bodden.

Poignant characters and strong performances

Viktor Nilsson made a special impression as Benedikt van Cleev, winning over critics and viewers alike. Wolfgang Lippert, known as the entertainer “Lippi”, took the opportunity to perform new songs and Störtebeker classics as a ballad singer and created a great atmosphere in the audience. The female roles are particularly strong this year; Klara (Eva GernGroß) and Alenia (Alonja Weigert) enter the action confidently and give the story additional weight.

The variety of roles is also remarkable: Volker Wackermann shines in two roles, while Janis Günther makes his debut as Wulf and Mayor Schabbel. The villain Alexander Brandt, played by Andreas Müller, is after power, while Lisa Ahorn enchants the audience as the warm landlady Walli.

A feast for the senses

As always, the spectacular stunts and impressive special effects cannot be missed. With a new stage design and new costumes, every performance becomes a unique experience. Falconry Walter enlivens the performances with his “Kings of the Skies” program, and the costume department has made around 15,000 costume pieces to perfectly capture the mood of the time.

The Störtebeker Festival is not just a performance, but a total work of art that takes the audience into the world of Klaus Störtebeker in a fascinating way. The combination of fast pace, emotional highlights, a pinch of humor and extraordinary effects is well received by the audience, which was already evident at the start of the season. If you don't have a ticket yet, you can find out more at stoertebeker.de or get a voucher for the festival in the Störtebeker Festival shop.

Overall, it can be said that the Störtebeker Festival 2025 in Ralswiek offers a successful experience for young and old that should not be missed. Come by and cheer on the brave buccaneers!