"Silent Night" faces competition – Why music is increasingly falling silent at Christmas markets

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Advent without "Last Christmas"? This is no joke.

Christmas time is music time—or so you would think. But at more and more Christmas markets in Germany, especially in Saxony-Anhalt, things are going to be much quieter this year. Classics such as "Last Christmas" and "All I Want for Christmas" will not be coming out of the loudspeakers—not because of a sudden change in musical taste, but for financial reasons.

The reason: a dispute with Gema. The music rights organization charges fees when music is played in public—whether live on stage or as background music from a recording. In the past, many cities complained about the sometimes drastic increase in costs. Now, Gema, showmen's associations, and local authorities have agreed on a new tariff—but the all-clear has not yet been given.

New rates, old problems: Why less now costs more anyway

According to Gema, the new tariff is intended to take into account the special character of modern Christmas markets, which offer stages, choirs, and children's programs in addition to sales booths. However, organizers such as Paul-Gerhard Stieger from Magdeburger Weihnachtsmarkt GmbH see things differently. Even the discounted rate is based on old, expensive calculations—and feels like a price increase.

In concrete terms, this means: Stage programs during the week? Shortened or canceled. Christmas classics from tape? Only occasionally—and via precisely designated loudspeakers. In Halle, for example, there will be a complete switch to license-free music. The city of Stendal is pleased about a 30% reduction in costs—but is also cutting back on its program.

Protest with silence – when silence becomes a message

In previous years, there were even actual "days of silence" in protest against Gema's policy, during which Christmas markets completely dispensed with music. This was necessary because Gema considered the event areas to be too small, which, in their view, led to years of underpayment.

Gema is fighting back: it claims that the basis for its fees has not changed, that it only wants to charge fairly and remunerate artists appropriately. The fact that smaller towns and non-profit organizers often fall by the wayside remains an unresolved problem.

Christmas markets are not techno parties

Many officials are calling for Christmas markets not to be treated like city festivals. They argue that these are cultural and traditional events with their own unique character—not large-scale commercial events. The call for special regulations is growing louder. After all, what good is an atmospheric market if there is no music to accompany it?

Many visitors may not even notice that something is missing—at least as long as the lights are shining and the mulled wine is flowing. But this quiet change shows that the Christmas season is becoming increasingly complicated, not only emotionally but also financially. Culture comes at a price—and is increasingly becoming a bargaining chip.

Critical classification

If we start forcing ourselves to listen to "Silent Night" for financial reasons instead of enjoying it, something is seriously wrong. Gema or not—Christmas markets thrive on atmosphere, and music is the glue that holds together bratwurst stands and contemplation.

You can regulate everything, even loudspeakers. But anyone who cuts the music because they get lost in their calculator should ask themselves: What are we actually celebrating?

Source: MDR.de