Dessau celebrates breakdancing: New traffic light men shape history!

Dessau celebrates breakdancing: New traffic light men shape history!

In Dessau-Roßlau, the breakdancing figures in the pedestrian lights Roberta and Roberto literally cast a spell over people. At the museum intersection, the new traffic light men shine in bright green and red and are to be tested for six months. This creative redesign cost the city around 2,000 euros and is reminiscent of Dessau's long breakdancing history, which was particularly popular in the 1980s. The majority of the city council approved the proposal of the NEWKID e. V. agreed, with city councilor Jörg Bernstein (non-attached) describing this initiative as a creative symbol of cultural diversity and the city's history.

As early as June 2023, pedestrians in Wernigerode saw witches and devils on traffic lights, while in Magdeburg riders and maidens were chosen as motifs. The fact that the proposal to use the Stendaler Roland as a traffic light man was rejected in Stendal currently remains a footnote in the discussion of these colorful innovations.

Dancing Dessau 2025 – An international festival for breakdancing

The topic of breakdancing is very important in Dessau - another highlight is coming: On May 3, 2025, the “Dancing Dessau 2025” event will take place in the Anhalt Arena. Here international breakers from countries such as Finland, Switzerland and France will compete against each other in an exciting 2vs2 battle. The format requires not only creativity and passion from the dancers, but also acrobatic skills and team spirit. A total of 16 of the best duos fight for victory in the knockout system. The tickets are available online ticketmaster.de as well as available at various ticket offices in Dessau-Roßlau.

The upcoming event will honor the rapidly growing popularity of breakdancing. This dance style originally originated in the streets of New York when members of various street gangs showcased their dances as a form of rivalry. The foundations of breakdancing were laid by the influences of various dance forms, including capoeira, kung fu and disco dance.

The roots of breakdancing

The breakdance culture that characterized the 1980s has its roots in movements such as uprock, locking and popping, which became fashionable in California and New York in the 1970s. Back then, young people traveled from place to place to exchange their movements and test each other. B-Boys and B-Girls, as the dancers are called, revolutionized dance with their creative moves and made breakdancing an indispensable part of hip-hop culture.

This cultural expression has found a new home in Dessau over the years, and the city provides both the perfect backdrop and platform to celebrate this vibrant and dynamic movement. Regardless of whether the dance takes place on the streets or at official events, such as “Dancing Dessau 2025”, the enthusiasm for breakdancing will definitely remain noticeable.

• Breakdance-Figuren in Dessau: neue Ampelmännchen an der Museums-Kreuzung
• Dancing Dessau 2025: internationales Breakdance-Battle am 3. Mai 2025 in der Anhalt Arena
• Ziel der Ampelumgestaltung: Erinnerung an die Breakdance-Tradition der 80er Jahre

A traffic light man dedicated to this movement culture and an international dance tournament - Dessau proves that cultural diversity and the celebration of history go hand in hand. This keeps the city moving, all in the spirit of breakdancing.

Further information can be found at MDR, Stop sports and My Groove Guide.