Zytanien Open Air Festival
25th - 27th August, 2023
About us
Originally intended as a private party for friends and friends of friends, the festival turned into an important and appreciated event attracting not just locals but became popular all over the country, and even amongst international guests. Remembering our first stage which basically consisted of an old barn door installed on a couple of barrels, we are proud to say that we've achieved quite a lot over the years.
Three decades later, there are two open air stages and technical equipment that certainly complies with modern festival standards. Located in an old factory hall, the additional indoor area “Weltraum” (Engl. outer space) feels both spacious and transcendentally cosy at the same time. Altogether you'll find three unique areas – suitable for everyone.
In spite of all renewals, Zytanien is maintaining the atmosphere of an old brickyard, situated in the middle of an idyllic nature just 15 kilometres southeast of Hanover. While taking any required obligations seriously, we managed to keep back from being a commercially and security driven event. Instead there lies magic within this gathering of peaceable people. Old stagers and newcomers often find themselves equally surprised and overwhelmed by the colourful interplay of music, beautiful spots, delicious food and inspiring moments. Entering Ongolito Ville might feel like a journey to a place where time stands still. You can hang out and just relax, dance until sunrise or even unite with likeminded people and conquer the open mic area starting an unforgettable jam session.
The children’s area invites our youngest guests to take part in creative and enjoyable activities. A tiny marketplace offers a variety of treasures including handmade clothes, jewellery, dreamy craftwork and other artsy stuff. Everyone is invited to just stroll along, have a chat with the people and maybe even find a long-desired souvenir to take back home. Culinarywise you can expect a lot in Zytanien. The palette includes snacks and meals of various kinds, and early birds appreciate handmade and stone baked croissants at Ongolito Bar, the place that turns into a pizza paradise later the day, serving delicious and self-made pizzas accompanied by ambitious and appetizing DJ sounds.
You’ll find newspaper articles, photos and videos in chronological order within the Line-Up section. The outcome of a visit by German television broadcaster NDR is worth seeing, too. In 2010, their crew spent a couple of days with us to document the exciting moments just before the festival. 17 hours of video material were assembled into an interesting documentary giving organizational as well as personal insights - interviews with many ‘Zytanians’ included . In addition there is a detailed report in the WESER KURIER about the everydays life in Zytanien before and after the festival.
Is Zytanien really canceled next year?!?
Was probably the most common question that we have been asked over and over again year by year and which we were often only able to answer last minute with a clear NO, of course not 🥳. Simply because our tenancy was on pretty shaky ground at times. This uncertainty has finally come to an end – we have now bought the site! We can hardly believe it ourselves that we got it done. And yes, that fills us with great joy and a little pride, too. Because Zytanien means much more to us than just the festival – it is our home. The purchase of the site opens up numerous new perspectives, and we are already looking forward to the upcoming projects and events that we will bring up together.
At this point we would like to say a very special thank you to all those who have accompanied Zytanien over the past decades, lived here and made the place what it is today.
We wish that Zytanien remains a place of freedom, community, art and culture and simply inspires everyone.
Lots of love! 💛 🧡 ❤️
Your Zytanians
We are sponsored by
Friends, partners, supporters...
