Music - Christmas markets protest against Gema costs
As a protest against what they see as Gema's high music license costs, many Christmas markets across Germany will not be playing music on Monday. In addition to Christmas markets in Leipzig and Dresden, markets in Magdeburg, Erfurt, Hanover and Rostock are also taking part in the so-called "Day of Silence". "It's unusual, but it works," said a Christmas market spokesperson from Magdeburg in the early afternoon. But something is missing.
The Christmas market operators criticize the higher licensing costs for the use of music compared to previous years. Gema, which manages the music rights, is defending itself against the accusations. According to Gema, the reason for the alleged increase is incorrect information provided by the Christmas market operators. "Some large, high-turnover markets have reported areas that are clearly too small," said board member Georg Oeller last week.
Many operators are now in goodwill negotiations with the collecting society. "We want to stay in contact with Gema and not be fobbed off across the board," said the Leipzig store manager, explaining the action on Monday. Overnight, costs have risen by up to 1000 percent.
According to Gema, it has sent around 3,350 invoices to Christmas market operators across Germany for 2022. In 167 cases, there were higher fees, in 35 cases even in the five-digit range.
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The Christmas market in Berlin, known for its lively atmosphere, will also join the "Day of Silence" protest. Despite the silence, the market still exudes its usual charm with the twinkling lights and festive decorations. The music box vendor in Hanover expressed their concern, explaining that the absence of background music could impact their sales, as music often sets the holiday mood. The decision to protest hasn't gone unnoticed in music circles, with many artists expressing support for the markets' needs. In response, Gema is organizing a special event in Rostock's Christmas market, aiming to clarify their stance and address the concerns of the market operators.
Source: www.stern.de
