10th International Bagpipe Festival Schleife – June 19 to 21, 2026
Bagpipe groups, ensembles and soloists from near and far are invited to participate. The Sorbian parish of Schleife is the only region in Germany where the tradition of playing bagpipe is been continuously alive for centuries, right up to this very day.
We invite you to mark this date firmly in your calendars and join us as guests at this international event. We would be delighted if you also spread the word about the festival to friends, relatives and acquaintances and join us to celebrate.
The festival grounds will be located on the site of the former school on Schulstraße in Schleife.
Program
Friday, June 19
6:00 PM – Sorbisches National Ensemble Bautzen “Bagpipes & Friends”
7:30 PM – Spremberger Bläsergilde
9:00 PM – Concert with the group Popsorben
Saturday, June 20
2:00 PM – Programs and events on the festival grounds: music, dance and singing; surprises for children; specialties from the region Schleife; market festivities
7:30 PM – Concert with the Happy German Bagpipers
9:00 PM – Concert with the AVION Showband
Sunday, June 21
09:30 AM – Festive church service at the Evangelical Church in Schleife
11:00 AM – Festival procession featuring all participants and local associations
12:00 PM – Programs and events on the festival grounds: music, dance and singing; surprises for children; market festivities
17:00 PM – Finale
We are the Popsorben!
…and we love the polka style! We are a Sorbian group from Upper Lusatia with a sound that blends many elements, yet is never ordinary. Our repertoire ranges from pop, rock and folk to hip-hop, rap and 90s children’s TV theme songs – featuring multi-part harmonies, handcrafted instrumentation and a style that is uniquely our own.
Accordion, acoustic guitar, melodica, washboard, bass and drums combine to create an honest sound with real character. We sing in German, Sorbian, English, Spanish, Italian and Slovak – for us, music knows no boundaries.
We’ve rocked plenty of big stages and that is exactly what we love: the close connection with the audience and the infectious energy that radiates from the stage.
Our joy in making music is genuine – and that is exactly what we want to share with you!
The Avion Showband
The Avion Showband truly lives up to its name, adhering to the motto: “If it’s a show, make it a real show!” The word “Show” appears in their name not by chance but serves as the very essence of their act.
This group from Eastern Saxony delivers first-class live music spanning the 80s right up to the present day. Their repertoire also features original hits.
With their performances, the band breathes fresh energy onto the stage. Their shows feature numerous parodies of iconic artists including Tina Turner, Depeche Mode, Wolfgang Petry, Jürgen Drews and Udo Lindenberg.
There won’t be a dry eye in the house nor a foot left standing still – it’s a non-stop party from start to finish!
Tickets
Wristbands will be available at the Sorbian Cultural Center
| Regular | Reduced | |
|---|---|---|
| Combination Ticket (Friday, Saturday incl. both concerts and Sunday) | 25,00 € | 15,00 € |
| Weekend Ticket (Saturday incl. concert and Sunday) | 20,00 € | 10,00 € |
| Concert Ticket (Friday) | 8,00 € | 5,00 € |
| Day Ticket (Saturday) | 12,00 € | 6,00 € |
| Day Ticket (Sunday) | 12,00 € | 6,00 € |
Children up to the age of 6 receive free admission. School children, students and people with severe disabilities (upon presentation of valid ID) are eligible for the reduced admission rate.
Route on 21 June 2026
The parade begins at the Evangelical Church in Schleife and follows Friedensstraße towards the Sparkasse. Continuing along Lindesweg, the parade ends at the festival grounds on Schulstraße.
Domowina – About Us
We are the Domowina Regional Association “Jakub Lorenc-Zalěski” e.V., based in Schleife/Slepo in the district of Görlitz – the strong voice of Sorbian culture in our region, currently comprising 545 members.
As part of the Domowina, we are committed to the preservation, promotion and continued development of our language, our customs and our identity. Our roots run deep – and it is precisely from these roots that we draw the strength for our future. We see ourselves as a network, a catalyst and a cultural platform. Together with our members, partners and dedicated volunteers, we strengthen the region’s cultural profile and create spaces for encounter, participation and shaping the future.
The region Schleife stands for a unique Sorbian culture. Traditional costumes, vibrant customs and our local Sorbian dialect („Schleifer dialect“) are expressions of a history that we consciously carry forward. At the same time, we develop modern formats that connect people – spanning generations and open to new impulses.
Yes, we love our intricate patterns and delicate artisanal techniques – but our culture is capable of being far more than merely decorative. It resonates, it engages in dialogue, it evolves. It takes the stage, fosters conversation across generations, and creates space for new ideas.
A particular highlight is our international Bagpipe Festival, which uniquely combines music, personal encounters and cultural exchange. Here, regional identity meets the international stage – powerfully, melodiously and in a spirit of connection.
Preserving tradition. Shaping the modern. Living community.