Oktober Klub

Subject: Oktober Klub
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 05:24 PM

Can anyone provide some background history of the
East German "OKTOBER KLUB"?
Is there any site on the web?
Thanks, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Oktober Klub
From: Peace
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 05:39 PM

The Festival of Political Songs was one of the largest music events in East Germany. It was founded by the group Oktoberklub and between 1970 and 1990 took place in East Berlin every February as an official event of the Free German Youth. The event was first organized by the Berlin division, but from 1975 was directed by the "Central Committee of the Free German Youth.

Artists from 60 countries participated in the event over the years, and usually between 50 to 80 artists, from around 30 countries, performed, including prominent artists like Mikis Theodorakis, Miriam Makeba, Quilapayún, Inti-Illimani, Silvio Rodríguez, Mercedes Sosa, Canzoniere delle Lame, and Pete Seeger. The mascot of the festival was a red sparrow named Oki (derived from Oktoberklub).

After the collapse of East Germany, the festival lost its function and supporting infrastructure. In order to continue the tradition, a new festival, called the ZwischenWelt Festival, was held between 1991 and 1995. Its supporting organization dissolved in 1995 because of financial difficulties."

From Wikipedia

Subject: RE: Oktober Klub
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 07:17 PM

At present, there is the "Festival Musik und Politik", which takes place in late February every year. It is run by a group around Lutz Kirchenwitz and has, I think, a website.

Lutz has published a book on "Folk, Chanson und Liedermacher in der DDR" (Dietz Verlag Berlin 1993) which traces the development of the GDR folk and songwriter scene. Also, there is the 12-CD edition on German folk music by Bear Family Records which has at least two CDs on the GDR scene, with accompanying biographical notes on the artists mentioned. There must be more!

Subject: RE: Oktober Klub
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 09:09 PM

Hi Suzanne,
Do you have the title and/or catalog nr. for the GDR 12-cd set?
THANKS!
Thomas.

Subject: RE: Oktober Klub
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 02:15 AM

Thomas, it's not a GDR set, it's on 50 years (roughly) of German language folk music in general. Google Bear Family Records, that's bound to get you there. Or eMail me at: skw at freenet dot de.

Subject: RE: Oktober Klub
From: GUEST,CANZONIERE DELLE LAME di BOLOGNA ---
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 05:00 PM

evviva l' OKTOBER KLUB di BERLINO ---
ciao dal CANZONIERE DELLE LAME di BOLOGNA ---
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