Each year, military history societies from all over Europe meet in historical locations to together commemorate one of the bloodiest battles in European history. Former battlefields come to life for three days. In the bivouacs and public markets at the ‘Torhaus’ in Markkleeberg and Dölitz, approximately 2000 guests in uniform provide an insight into the everyday lives of the population and life in the military camps. At Torhaus Dölitz, interested visitors can watch over the shoulders of a dozen merchants and craftsmen.
Leipzig locals can look forward to the highlight of the festival on Saturday 19 October 2019: the reenactments of the main battle on Mönchereiplatz in Markkleeberg are real crowd-pullers. The reenactment performers recreate the historical battles as close to the original as possible and generate a special atmosphere for spectators. The festival concludes with a wreath-laying remembrance service at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations the day after the battle.
The anniversary commemorates one of the most important events in the Napoleonic era. In October 1813, the allies Austria, Prussia, Russia and Sweden were pitted against the French army under Napoleon. It was the last battle to see monarchs personally standing on the field and giving out orders. Besides Emperor Napoleon I (1769-1821), this included his allied opponents Tsar Alexander I of Russia (1777-1825), Emperor Franz I of Austria (1768-1835) and King Frederick William III of Prussia (1770-1840). Today’s Monument to the Battle of the Nations remembers over 90.000 people who died or were wounded in the battle, one of the largest and bloodiest battles in the history of Europe.
Programme
Friday, 18 October 2019
- 7.30-8.15pm Opening Ceremony of the 206th Anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig at Torhaus Dölitz
Saturday, 19 October 2019
- 10.00am 4th Historical Farmer’s market at Torhaus Markkleeberg
- 10.00am-1.00pm Village School of the 1800s at Torhaus Dölitz
- 10.00am-3.00pm 6th Military History Collector’s Fair at Schloss Markkleeberg
- 2.30-4.00pm Reenactment on Grundwiesen Liebertwolkwitz (responsible for organisation and execution: Interessenverein Völkerschlacht bei Leipzig 1813 e.V., Liebertwolkwitz)
- 6.00pm Live music at Torhaus Markkleeberg (Irish Folk)
- 7.00pm Live music around the campfire at Torhaus Dölitz with the group "PJOTR" with songs from Napoleonic times
Sunday, 20.10.2019
- 10.00am-10:45am Remembrance Service/Wreath Laying at Gutspark Wachau