Ludwigsburg Festival stands at a crucial point in its almost 90-year history. As a festival with one of the richest traditions in Germany, we aim to assume an exemplary position in the present time, in order to shape – together with all those ready for active participation – an open, sustainable society. 

Cultural institutions, with their networks, have a special responsibility to help overcome local and global crises. Music at the heart of the program is the unifying, universal language that all people understand. The term »Baden-Württemberg International Festival« has a meaningful effect outwardly as a festival of international understanding and inwardly as a participatory playing field of social cohesion. This is not only about bringing together diverse cultural and artistic positions. The Schlossfestspiele also wants to create connections between the arts. In this sense, we will not only present innovative formats, but also break new ground in order to reach the diversity of society in its broadest sense. In doing so, the important historical tradition and the current positioning of the Festival must be further developed and led into the future. In doing so, the major issues of our time will become the content anchor of the festival dramaturgy. The development policy guidelines for Baden-Württemberg state that »cultural institutions have a special responsibility to communicate development policy issues in a lively way.« We want to face this responsibility with passion.

In 1962, Charles de Gaulle reminded us in the courtyard of Ludwigsburg Castle that the future, as a dignified, free and better life for all, could only be had with ethical and social responsibility. In 2021, we will be following up on these occasions, which will result in an ongoing discussion of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations as the global Agenda 2030. Here a circle closes, because the »Sustainable Development Goals« were actively launched by an honorary citizen of the city of Ludwigsburg, former Federal President Horst Köhler, who together with his wife Eva Luise Köhler will be the patron sponsor for the festival year 2021 and 2022. Since 2022, we have been part of the Sustainability Action Network.

Learn more about the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals here.