Genius Loci Weimar: International artists light up the city!

Genius Loci Weimar: International artists light up the city!

On July 10, 2025, the winners of the prestigious Genius Loci competition were announced as part of the Genius Loci Weimar Festival. Over 70 submissions from all over the world were reviewed this year, and three creative teams managed to prevail. How Radiolotte reports, the total budget of 30,000 euros will be used to realize the impressive projections, which will be shown at the Weimar City Palace and the Bastille from September 5th to 7th.

This year the festival is all about Goethe's “Faust”, as the 250th anniversary of Goethe's call to Weimar is celebrated. In addition to the already mentioned 30,000 euros, a selected contribution will also be awarded an additional 5,000 euros. The lucky winners come from Indonesia, the USA and Germany. The anticipation of the presentation of the work is already noticeable.

Genius Loci Festival in Buchenwald

The challenges facing the festival should not be underestimated. This year it is taking place at the Buchenwald Memorial site, which poses certain logistical hurdles. So reported Genius Loci, that the terrain only offers limited dimensions and there is a lack of electricity. In addition, it is not possible to sell food and drinks during the event, which reduces income opportunities. However, the goal remains high: the festival should remain accessible to all and offer free tickets and a free bus service to the memorial to reach visitors.

A closer look into the future shows that the preparation of the festival will be based on the memory of the past. From August 30 to September 1, 2024, visitors can look forward to international artist groups who will not only present light and video installations, but also focus on deeper reflections on the Buchenwald Memorial. The key elements of the festival are selected under the theme “It feels like 5 to 33”, with more than 100 works from 22 nations submitted.

Current challenges in Thuringia

Not only is the festival the focus, the current weather situation is also causing excitement. There is currently a fishing ban in several Thuringian waters in order to protect endangered fish species such as brown trout and grayling. How Radiolotte reported, the Gera in Erfurt, the Ilm in Weimar and the Fuchsgrund dam near Ruhla are particularly affected, where a strong algae bloom has already been detected. The waters are continuously monitored and further closures cannot be ruled out.

In addition, there was recently a police operation in Kromsdorf in which a 42-year-old man stole a cell phone belonging to his friend and then set her car on fire. Despite the quick reactions of the police stations in Apolda and Weimar, the perpetrator has so far been able to escape. A search also uncovered a cannabis plantation with 125 plants in Weimar, which may lead to further investigation.

The coming weeks and months promise both creative highlights through the Genius Loci Festival and challenges that affect everyday life in Thuringia. Stay tuned - there's a lot happening here in the region!