From delicate flute melodies to the powerful sounds of the bagpipes, the open-air event offered musical diversity and rousing stage shows. A highlight was the performance by the Breton band Jahiner, which transcended the boundaries of the European Cultural Park not only musically but also physically. As a walking act, the ensemble moved right through the audience, taking them on a musical journey from Germany to France. Together with the musicians, the guests crossed the German-French border and thus became part of an extraordinary musical experience.
“CELTIKA wonderfully illustrates what Franco-German cooperation in our region is all about: we break down barriers, create shared experiences and bring people together in conversation. The Walking Act Jahiner brought this idea to life: the music accompanied people from Germany to France and turned the border into a connecting line. That is Europe in action,” emphasises District Administrator Frank John.
The European Cultural Park provided an extraordinary backdrop for the bands’ performances. Amidst the archaeological excavations, musical traditions converged with the region’s shared cultural heritage. Guests were also able to use their event ticket to visit the museum exhibits on the German side of the park.
“A huge thank you goes to the audience, who let themselves be swept away by the music, dancing and singing with great enthusiasm. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the nine bands who, despite the summer heat, provided impressive performances and created some truly special moments,” says Stefan Munz, Managing Director of the European Cultural Park Foundation, adding: “CELTIKA has shown how music can bring people and regions together. The open-air event thus became a special cross-border experience, where German and French guests celebrated together and enjoyed the extraordinary atmosphere of the European Cultural Park Bliesbruck-Reinheim.”
The event was organised jointly by the Saarland Ministry of Education and Culture, the Saarpfalz district and the Moselle department.