Music fees - "Day of Silence" at Christmas markets
The Christmas markets in Magdeburg and Quedlinburg are taking part in a protest campaign against higher music fees. On Monday (December 4), there will be no music at the Christmas market between 10.00 and 15.00, announced Paul-Gerhard Stieger, managing director of the Magdeburg Christmas market, on Saturday. In addition to the two cities in Saxony-Anhalt, other cities such as Leipzig, Dresden, Hanover, Rostock and others are also taking part.
The operators of the Christmas markets criticize the fact that the rights for the use of music have increased drastically in some cases. "This has drastic consequences for the market organizers," said Stieger. "Stage programs with local choirs can no longer be financed."
Gema, the administrator of the music rights, defends itself against the accusations. The basis for assessment has remained the same since 2011. "Some large, high-turnover markets have reported areas that are clearly too small," said Gema board member Georg Oeller. Gema had not checked the total area of the markets until 2022, but had relied on the conscientious and correct registration of the Christmas market operators in recent years.
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. According to the operator, the costs in Magdeburg had risen from around 1750 euros before the coronavirus pandemic to more than 101,000 euros now. Gema-free music will therefore be used for the stage program this year.
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- The protest against music fees also extends to Christmas markets in larger cities like Hanover and Rostock, apart from Magdeburg and Quedlinburg in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Tourists visiting Leipzig's or Dresden's Christmas markets this year might notice a shift in music as the organizers seek to reduce costs due to increased music fees.
- Saxony-Anhalt's municipalities, such as Magdeburg and Quedlinburg, are advocating for a review of the music fee system to ensure it remains fair and supports the continuation of Christmas market traditions.
- Musicians and local choirs in towns like Rostock may find fewer performance opportunities at Christmas markets during the day on December 4, as part of the "Day of Silence" in protest of music fees.
- The streets of Leipzig, Dresden, and other German cities during the Christmas market season might echo with Gema-free music due to pressure on organizers to cut costs associated with higher music fees.
- The municipalities of Saxony-Anhalt, including Magdeburg and Quedlinburg, are hoping that their collective protest action against music fees will draw the attention of the German government and lead to policy changes in favor of small-scale tourism venues like Christmas markets.
Source: www.stern.de
