Allentsteig festival brings medieval love songs back to life
Monday 12th October 2026 on 19:30 in
Austria
A new festival in Allentsteig celebrated medieval Minnesang and its modern interpretations, with 30 artists performing in the town, ORF reported.
The first Walther von der Vogelweide Festival brought together performers of love poetry under the motto “Tandaradei”. Its venue, the Lichtspielhaus, hosted music played on historical instruments, poems and love songs spanning centuries. The festival took place in Allentsteig, where poet Walther von der Vogelweide spent part of his childhood and youth around 800 years ago.
The idea came from Waldviertel author Manfred Greisinger, who said he felt a connection with the poet. “The more I learn about his life, the more I think I really have a few of his genes,” he said.
Minnesingers Mirjam and Max de Vime, who have performed together for 17 years, sang of love while playing historical instruments and wearing costumes Mirjam had made herself. Other performances included poems by Rainer Maria Rilke and a reading by actor Felix Kurmayer.
The a cappella group Fliederstaudn and Wurzelwerk performed humorous love songs. Vienna-based singer-songwriter Bryan Benner received the first Walther Minne Prize. Greisinger said the aim was to bring Minnesang into the present, and he is already considering another festival next year.