capacity as Festdezernentin of the state capital Mainz. There are also several reasons to celebrate on the stages: On Schillerplatz, Torfrock look back on 40 hard years on stage. The Frankfurt "female world music!"- Combo Kick la Luna celebrates its 25th anniversary on Saturday on the Ballplatz stage. Jammin´ Cool complete the rendezvous of special birthdays, as the well-known Mainz cover band also celebrates 25 years on Bischofsplatz and on the stage of
Mainzer Culinarium. Fine music, newcomers and cabaret await the audience on the cabaret stage at Ballplatz. The Mainz hip-hoppers Grundfunk provide a fat start here on Friday (23.6.) at 19.00. Besides young German music, the focus of the stage is of course on cabaret: artists such as Nessi Tausendschön provoke, parody, entertain and pointedly attack the laughing muscles on Friday, Saturday
and Sunday evenings. The Künstlermarkt proves to be a crowd puller year after year. Here you can find unusual things and certainly one or the other precious object. New this year: The 700-metre-long
creative route stretches across one side of Fischtorplatz up to Rheinstraße. For easier orientation, market signs such as "Johannismeile" or "Marktallee" contribute. In the "Schöne Aussicht" visitors can expect an oasis of calm with French flair in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the artists' market. As befits a folk festival, the "Rummel" must of course not be missing: For a good adrenaline rush, the Rhine Pleasure offers attractive rides. And among the rides, there are again quite a few highlights to discover - including three new additions: "Nightstyle", "XXL Fun House" and "Van de Molengraft". They will provide thrills and entertainment for the first time at the 50th Mainzer Johannisnacht! Further highlights this year are certainly the high ride XXL-Höhenrausch and the new Ferris wheel 'Grand Soleil'. With its 48 meters it is the highest we have ever had in Mainz. Of course, Volksfest fans won't have to do without classics like bumper cars, break dancers or the Adventure Shuttle simulation ride this year either. Children's carousels on the banks of the Rhine and on Gutenbergplatz will make the hearts of even the smallest ones beat faster. There is another novelty at Fischtorplatz: for the first time, the Octopussy round ride in the form of a large, illuminated octopus will be located here. All rides at a glance
- Ferris wheel Grand Soleil
- High ride XXL-Höhenrausch
- Ghost Villa Van de Molengraft
- Round ride Wellenflug
- Running ride XXL-Funhouse
- Ride Super Slide
- Ride Bumper Cars
- Ride Break-Dancer
- Adventure Shuttle
- Rio (Gutenbergplatz)
- Octopussy (Fischtorplatz)
- Children's rides: Samba Balloon, Boat Ride, Sports Arena, as well as Euro-Car and Magic-World (both on Gutenbergplatz) Spitzig-fröhlich - das große Buchdruckergautschen One of the highlights of Johannisnacht is undoubtedly the big Buchdruckergautschen (Saturday, 24. June, 16.00 clock) on the SWR Gutenbergbühne (Liebfrauenplatz). Since the 16th century, this ceremony has involved journeymen being immersed in a large wooden barrel filled with water and thus symbolically freed from the "sins of the apprenticeship years" and lead dust. This tradition continues today in period costume. 34 Gautschlinge will have the splashy pleasure this year. The special feature: For the first time in many years, a bookbinder will be among the Gautschlingen, alongside budding media designers. Also traditionally the honorary Gautschbrief of the state capital Mainz will be awarded.
Recitations and dancing letters .In the famous museum itself, where two of Gutenberg's 49 Bibles still in existence around the world can be seen, printing demonstrations on the Gutenberg press, guided tours and the family afternoon "Of Dancing Letters and Colorful Leaves" (Sunday, 25. June, 3.00 p.m.) invite visitors to marvel and participate. Also at the Gutenberg Museum, the Internationale Gutenberg Gesellschaft in Mainz e. V. offers public events: To kick off St. John's Night in Mainz, "Gutenberg's Invention - and its Influence on Early Humanism and Church Reforms (1450-1520)" will bring the post-Gutenberg era to life with quotations from works by the "Mother of All Libraries" at Sponheim Abbey. The event will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 23.
St. John's book market with local color It is not only popular with collectors - the large antiquarian book market on the Ballplatz. This year especially: In addition to the obligatory book stalls, two Mainz institutions offer rare doubles from their collection for sale. Rarities from Mainz's long history of cabaret will be available at the stand of the German Cabaret Archive, which is represented at the Mainzer Johannisnacht for the first time.
Another premiere: Klaus Benz, a photographer of public and political life in Mainz since 1963, will also be airing his archive at the book market and offering original photos for sale. Whether the Lord Mayors Franz Stein and Jockel Fuchs, Prime Minister Peter Altmeier, whether the handing over of the Gutenberg Bibles or the installation of the Chagall windows: Klaus Benz was always there until the 2000s and took the photos of Mainz's contemporary history.
