Saxon Festival Association eV

On July 26, 1990, dedicated friends of jazz and country music, ballroom dancing, and magic founded the Saxon Festival Association (SFV) in Dresden. Their goal was to preserve and promote the INTERNATIONAL DIXIELAND FESTIVAL, which had already been running for 20 years, as well as the dance festival, country festival, and magic festival in Dresden. Today, the SFV's work focuses exclusively on the preparation, organization, and execution of the INTERNATIONAL DIXIELAND FESTIVAL Dresden.

Since its inception in 1971, this annual festival has developed into a globally significant cultural event. Each year, the festival attracts over 450,000 Dixieland fans from around the world, transforming Dresden into the European capital of Dixieland during the festival days in May. As of 2007, over 7 million visitors had experienced more than 800 bands with a total of 6,358 jazz musicians from 32 countries across 4 continents, who together performed over 5,645 hours of infectious rhythms. Journalists, photojournalists, and agencies from Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australia have covered the festival in words, pictures, and sound, underscoring its international importance.

Close coordination among all sponsors, supporters, organizers, and volunteers involved in the festival is crucial for its continued success. Together with Joachim Schlese, the festival's co-founder and SFV's managing director until 2022, SFV members and friends dedicate themselves wholeheartedly on a voluntary basis to make the festival an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Joachim Schlese retired in 2022 after 52 years of service as the festival's artistic director. Since 2023, the SFV's five-member board has been managing the festival.

Under the motto "For Saxony’s most beautiful festivals," there are numerous ways to support our work. Almost 100 SFV members are active around the world and contribute ideologically, financially, and personally to the festival’s success.

If you are interested in actively participating in the festival or would like to learn more about possible ways to support us, please do not hesitate to contact us at sfv@dixielandfestival-dresden.com. We welcome your opinions, comments, and suggestions about our festival and are always interested in offers of support and partnership.

Keep swinging!

Kind regards,
the board of the Saxon Festival Association (registered association)