Balve Cave

Balver Höhle

The Balve Cave (German: Balver Höhle) is the biggest cultural cave in Europe. It is located in Balve, Germany.

History

Procession Schützenfest (1982)

The Balve Cave was mentioned in the Thidrekssaga. Since 160 years the annual Schützenfest is a part of the culture. In 1985 the Festspiele Balver Höhle were founded with the mystery play Katharina von Georgien directed by artistic director Hermann Wedekind. This was based on an idea by former chairman Agatha Allhoff-Cramer.

In 1991 a fairy tale festival was installed by Festspiele Balver Höhle. In 1998 the Festspiele Balver Höhle performed their first oriental musical.^[1]

Semi-professionals and professionals are working together at Irish Folk & Celtic Music,^[2] Balver Märchenwochen and other activities of Festspiele Balver Höhle.

Festivals

Ensemble Balver Märchenwochen in 2004

Family entertainment in Balve Cave in 2005 with Laura Traud and Stefanie Fuchs

An "irish" event (2005)

• Balver Märchenwochen, since 1991
• Irish Folk & Celtic Music, since 2002
• Höhlenrock, terminated 2004
• International Jazzfestival, terminated 2005

Rehearsals

• Christian Bollmann (until 1999)
• Justus Frantz (1994–2007)
• Mixery-Cave

Single events

• Redentiner Osterspiel
• Mal Sondock's Hitparade
• Public Viewing ^[3]
• Tu es Petrus (1997)

Recordings

• Live in der Balver Höhle (1980)
• Klangräume (1996)
• MTV Unplugged Fanta 4 (2000)

Literature

In German

• Klaus Günther, Die altsteinzeitlichen Funde der Balver Höhle, Aschendorff Verlag, Münster 1964

See also

• List of show caves in Germany

References

1. Aladdin und die Wunderlampe
2. 7. Irish Folk & Celtic Music steht kurz bevor
3. "So ein Tag, so wunderschön wie heute..."

External links

• Veranstaltungen in der Balver Höhle - Schützenbruderschaft St. Sebastian Balve (German)
• "Peter Pan" auf der Insel Nimmerland - Schützenbruderschaft St. Sebastian Balve (German)

Coordinates: 51°20′20″N 7°52′19″E / 51.339°N 7.872°E