Nine-day festival marking Libor in Paderborn commences
Prepare for a week of fun and celebration as the vibrant Libori Festival returns to Paderborn, Germany, from July 26th to August 3rd. This year marks the fifth season of the festival, which promises a varied cultural programme, religious celebrations, and fairground fun.
The heart of the festival is the Pottmarkt, or Liborimarkt, on the market and cathedral square, featuring approximately 140 stalls. Here, visitors can indulge in a wide range of food, drink, sweets, and sales stalls. For those seeking souvenirs, the Pottmarket offers a variety of goods including knives, cleaning supplies, household items, clothing, and everyday helpers.
The festivities begin with the elevation of the Golden Shrine containing the relics of Saint Liborius on July 26th at around 4:30 PM. As the week progresses, the city comes alive with music, comedy, theatre, and puppet shows, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere.
For thrill-seekers, the family funfair on the Liboriberg offers a unique mix of spectacular new attractions and traditional carousel rides. The fairground mile features nearly 150 showmen's operations, ensuring there's something for everyone. Numerous children's rides are also available, making the festival a perfect destination for families.
The Sparkassen-Musik-Feuerwerk will mark the culmination of the Libori week on the last Sunday. This high-altitude firework display from the garden of the Leokonvikt is a spectacle not to be missed. A map showing the best viewing points for the fireworks display has been prepared by the city of Paderborn's department of surveying and geoinformation and can be found at www.libori.de/feuerwerk.
Other highlights include the two-story ghost train "DOOM," the "Paderborner Almhütte" tent offering a daily changing music program, and the "Chaos Airport" obstacle course offering action-packed fun. The Square of Small Arts offers entertainment, jugglers, artists, and street performers, adding to the festival's diverse offerings.
The "Bierbrunnen" or beer fountain in front of the town hall is a popular spot, offering the popular Libori jug as a souvenir. On July 31st, the Day of Crafts will feature Dr. Carsten Linnemann, the CDU General Secretary and Member of the German Bundestag for the district, as the guest speaker.
The Libori Festival in Paderborn is a neuntägiges (ninth-day) celebration that attracts a large crowd. Last year, it drew 1.5 million visitors, making it a significant annual event in the city's calendar. The festival honours the return of the relics of Saint Liborius, adding a spiritual dimension to the festivities.
While specific details for the 2023 event are not yet available, the festival is expected to follow the same format, with dates likely to be around late July to early August. As always, the Libori Festival promises a week of entertainment and fun for all ages. So, mark your calendars and get ready to join in the celebration!
At the Pottmarket, visitors can find a variety of household items and everyday helpers, making it an ideal destination for those looking to spice up their home-and-garden lifestyle. As the heart of the Libori Festival, the Pottmarket offers a vibrant mix of foods, drinks, and souvenirs, adding to the lively lifestyle atmosphere of the celebration.
