Augsburg Peace Festival

Augsburg Peace Festival is celebrated each year on August 8 in the historic Bavarian city of Augsburg, some 70 kilometres from Munich. It is a public holiday in the city, usually marked by a communal meal on the city's most famous plaza, along with talks, round-table discussions and other public events.

This year, Augsburg Peace Festival falls on a Saturday and a social distancing-appropriate version of the event will take place. It celebrates the tolerant and peaceful exchange between cultures and religions.

Rituals at Augsburg Peace Festival

This year, the theme is rituals. Rituals can be described as actions that repeat themselves in a certain rhythm and have a much deeper meaning than mere routine. They shape our lives and exist in all societies, families and groups as a fundamental element of living together and communicating.

A prize-giving ritual is also part of it. Ever since 1985, the Augsburg Peace Prize has been awarded every three years, “for special achievements promoting areas of inter-confessional agreement”. A prize will be awarded this year, though the award ceremony will take place in October.

In the lead-up to the festival on August 8, there are a number of related events, such as a meditation event on July 31, based on the theme of rituals. On the Augsburg Peace Facebook page, there is a list of all related events.

Peace Festival adapted to coronavirus measures

There is usually a “Peace Table” on Rathausplatz, where the people of Augsburg come and eat together at rows of communal tables in the city square, and the mayor welcomes all the visitors. This is to symbolise peace, equality and acceptance.

This year, instead of a Peace Table, there will be Peace Picnics taking place in various locations around Augsburg, such as public parks or even at home in private gardens – perfect for families and kids, or students on a limited budget. The typical dove-shaped cookies served each year can be picked up from Schneider’s bakery, free of charge, for the occasion.

Other things you can do to celebrate the Augsburg Peace Festival that are social distancing-friendly include:

• Donate to charity. Find your cause and give as generously as you see fit.
• Take part in an anti-discrimination campaign, be it anti-bullying, anti-racism, anti-ageism or anti-homophobia.
• Mend relationships by reaching out to those you may have distanced yourself from, or with whom you may be in conflict.

What are the origins of the Augsburg Peace Festival?

The festival commemorates events dating back centuries! Here’s a quick overview:

The so-called Peace of Augsburg was a settlement or treaty that was signed in 1555, putting an official end to religious disputes in the Holy Roman Empire. However, it wasn't quite that simple; in fact, the treaty itself is often credited with ending Christian unity in Europe. For instance, it did not grant religious freedom to certain reformed Protestants such as Calvinists. In 1629, Protestants of all kinds were banned from practising their faith and began to revolt against the Catholic Church to regain their religious freedom.

That’s why the Augsburg Peace Festival also commemorates the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, which restored religious freedom for Protestants. The first-ever Augsburg Peace Festival was held in 1650. Nowadays, in the polarised world we live in, this festival is more relevant than ever! It reinforces the sentiments of acceptance and coexistence regardless of religion or background.