It is with very heavy hearts that we have decided, due to the rapidly rising rates of infection, to cancel the live holding of the 33rd Internationale Kulturbörse Freiburg 2021.

Over the past few weeks and months we have been going through various different scenarios in which we would be able to hold the IKF in Freiburg after all under the changed circumstances. The corona-compliant version of the 33rd IKF would have been subject to an exceptionally comprehensive and safe hygiene and safety concept which included having fewer stages, wider aisles in the exhibition halls and sufficient space for visitors in all areas.

But the way things have developed over the past few months, with many countries and federal states being classified as risk areas and the travel restrictions being imposed as a result, has shown that it would simply not have been possible to put on the centrepiece of the IKF, a programme of shorts in the categories Street Theatre, Music and Performing Arts featuring a multitude of international artists, as is usual for the IKF. Even a programme of shorts featuring predominantly artistes from Germany, would have proved to be very vulnerable due to the country’s drastic rise in infection rates.

This, and the fact that the increase in the number of risk areas within Germany itself and the resulting restrictions on business travel by the trade public would have meant a huge reduction in the number of visitors, are just two of the reasons why we have decided to cancel the live version of the 33rd IKF.

Even the measures announced by the government on October 28, which are intended to slow down the rise of infections, do not allow any other decision. The current circumstances make reliable planning for the coming months impossible.

In addition, the corona situation means that as things are at the moment it would not have been financially worthwhile for our exhibitors who have already registered to be present at the trade fair with visitor numbers continuing to fall. The majority of promoters have shifted an overwhelming part of their promoter programmes from 2020 to 2021 so that only very few free dates are left.

The IKF as a communicative hub thrives on direct exchange and the coming together of its visitors, exhibitors and artistes. The increasingly strict official conditions and the reduced offering, together with the necessity to do without the interactive special shows and the stand parties – all part of the special charm and attraction of the IKF, are more reasons that have led us to cancel the live 33rd IKF.

Instead we will be offering you a reduced digital version of the IKF on our website, which we warmly invite you to visit.

We will be sending you details and information on how you can take part digitally during the next fortnight.

We wish you all the very best for the coming months!

With best wishes, 
your IKF-team

Susanne Göhner, Projektleitung
Melanie Schmidt, Projektassistenz Live-Auftritte
Fiona Wieber, Projektassistenz Ausstellerbereich
Constanze Löffler, Projektassistenz
Lisa Grünagel, Projektassistenz