| Festival of Political Songs German: Festival des politischen Liedes|italic=no | |
| Location: | East Berlin, East Germany |
| Years Active: | 1970–1990 |
| Founders: | Oktoberklub, Free German Youth |
| Dates: | February |
| Genre: | Rock, folk, political music |
The Festival of Political Songs (German: Festival des politischen Liedes|link=no|italic=no) was one of the largest music events in East Germany, held between 1970 and 1990. It was hosted by the Free German Youth and featured international artists.
The Festival of Political Songs was founded by the group German: Oktoberklub|italic=no and took place in East Berlin every February from 1970 - 1990 as an official event of the Free German Youth. The event was first organized by the Berlin division, but from 1975 on was directed by the Central Committee of the Free German Youth.
Artists from 60 countries participated in the event during its durations, and the event would usually feature between 50 and 80 artists across around 30 countries. Prominent artists who have performed at the festival include Mikis Theodorakis, Miriam Makeba, Quilapayún, Inti-Illimani, Silvio Rodríguez, Mercedes Sosa, Gabino Palomares,, and Pete Seeger accompanied by Chilean-exile and Berkeley based folk group Grupo Raiz.[1] The mascot of the festival was a red sparrow named Oki (derived from German: Oktoberklub|italic=no).
After the collapse of East Germany, the festival lost financial support and infrastructure. In order to continue the tradition, a new festival called the German: ZwischenWelt|italic=no Festival was held between 1991 and 1995. Its supporting organization dissolved in 1995 because of financial difficulties.
| February 15–21, 1970 | Reinhold Andert, Kurt Demmler, Singeklub der Lessing-Oberschule Hoyerswerda,, Gisela May, Oktoberklub, Gruppe Pasaremos, Die Conrads, Judith Csaba  , Gerilla-Gruppe , Il Contemporaneo, Cynthia Nokwe, Iskateli, Joan & José | |
| February 7–13, 1971 | Lyrik-Song-Klub, Singeklub Traktorenwerk Schönebeck, Renate Richter and Hilmar Thate, Jürgen Walter + Günther-Fischer-Gruppe, Münchner Songgruppe, Perry Friedman, Quilapayún, Agit-Prop, Francesca Solleville, Laura Panti + Sergio Liberovici, Maryla Rodowicz, Luís Cília, Lutschina Group, Vietnamese Singing Group | |
| February 13–19, 1972 | ||
| Political Song Festival of the 5th World Festival of Youth and Students(July 29–August 5, 1973) | Reinhold Andert, Klaus Renft Combo, Spartakus, Franz Josef Degenhardt, Floh de Cologne, Lokomotive Kreuzberg, Lamari, Cuatro Tiempo, Klara Amandova, Inti-Illimani, La Columna de Fuego, Agit-Prop, Max Rongier, Vízöntő , Canzoniere Internazionale, the Singing Voices, Pesniary, National Service Jazz-Band | |
| February 10–16, 1974 | ||
| February 9–15, 1975 | Jack & Genossen, Franz Josef Degenhardt, Lokomotive Kreuzberg, Perth County Conspiracy, Tiempo Nuevo, Pablo Milanés, Søren Sidevinds Spillemænd, Kumiko Yokoi, Los Folkloristas, Kalambur, José Afonso, Elvina Makarjan | |
| February 7–14, 1976 | Schicht, Helga + Clement de Wroblewsky, Ekkes Frank, Peter, Paul & Barmbek, Santocas, Quinteto Clave, Isabel Parra + Arturo Cipriano, Moncada, Pia Colombo, The Whistlebinkies, Deepa Mukhopadhyay, Gruppe aus dem Irak, Bots, GEM + Krystyna Giżowska, Mircea Florian, Marcos Velásquez | |
| February 12–19, 1977 | Reinhold Andert, Singeklub Hoyerswerda, Bernd Rump, Floh de Cologne, Fasia Jansen, Suni Paz, Aparcoa, Inti-Illimani, Pedro Luis Ferrer, Jatarí, 25. Theater Budapest , Canzoniere del Lazio, Aliança Operario-Camponesa, Bots, Luis Enrique Mejía Godoy, Mustafa El-Kurd, Cuatro Tablas, Carlos Paredes, Víctor Manuel, Mike Glick | |
| February 13–20, 1978 | ||
| February 10–18, 1979 | Brigade Feuerstein, Folkländer, Jahrgang 49, Karls Enkel, Hanns-Eisler-Chor, Uschi Flacke, Taller Luis Emilio Recabarren, Gruppe aus Äthiopien, Claude Réva, Maria Farandouri, Stormy Six/Macchina Maccheronica, Singing Group of the Mongolian People's Republic, Carlos Mejía Godoy, Spring Group, ASHEED | |
| February 9–17, 1980 | Reinhold Andert, Brigade Feuerstein, Gruppe Neue Musik, Jahrgang 49, Liedehrlich, Franz Josef Degenhardt, Los Parra de Chile, Agit-Prop  , Tamás Berki , the Sands Family, Macchina Maccheronica, Gruppe aus Kampuchea, Ballada, Daniel and Cédar Viglietti | |
| February 8–15, 1981 | ||
| February 14–21, 1982 | Arbeiterfolk, Kurt Demmler, Gerhard Gundermann, Hannes Zerbe–Blechband, Pietsch/Körbel, Liederjan, Hannes Wader, Hanns-Eisler-Chor, Quinteto Tiempo, Sigi Maron, Illapu, Chris Cutler, Duo Voga/Turnowski, Bots, Orkest de Volharding, Ad Hoc Singers | |
| February 13–20, 1983 | Ina Deter, Orchester der Musikhochschule Dresden, Jürgen Eger, Lin Jaldati, Silly, Jürgen Walter, Cassiber, Duo Goebbels/Harth, Patricio Manns, Noel Nicola, Mikis Theodorakis, Willem Breuker Quartett, Letta Mbulu, Oskorri, New York Street Theatre Caravan | |
| February 12–19, 1984 | Pialkowski/Rieck, Schicht, Wenzel & Mensching, Duck and Cover, Hannes Wader, Zupfgeigenhansel, Mercedes Sosa, Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung, Los Jaivas, Ángel Parra, Khaled el Habr, Gabino Palomares, Jackson Kaujeua (Namibia), Czesław Niemen, Schanna Bitschewskaja, Utamaduni | |
| February 10–17, 1985 | ||
| February 16–23, 1986 | ||
| February 15–22, 1987 | ||
| February 14–21, 1988 | ||
| February 12–19, 1989 | ||
| February 11–18, 1990 |