Baroque picnic at Ludwigslust Palace

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The Förderverein Schloss Ludwigslust e.V. and the Staatliche Schlösser, Gärten und Kunstsammlungen MV invite you to the Baroque Picnic at Ludwigslust Palace on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Around Ludwigslust Palace on May 26, the high nobility from near and far will meet in their magnificent robes to chat about the latest fashions and intrigues at court. We look forward to welcoming you to this traditional spectacle and festive revelry.

If you want to immerse yourself in the Baroque era, you can borrow a dress or jacket free of charge and feel like a princess or prince.

There will also be plenty to eat and drink. A small craft market offers beautiful goods.

We look forward to seeing you there!

You can find the detailed program here:

Rustling dances, laced bodices

Sunday, May 26, 2024, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

An event organized by the Förderverein Schloss Ludwigslust e.V. and the Palaces, Gardens and Art Collections of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Individual events are subject to a charge (museum ticket office), which is indicated in the program.

We would like to thank our sponsors: Stiftung der Sparkasse Mecklenburg-Schwerin, NDR-Kulturstiftung, Stadt Ludwigslust, Landkreis Ludwigslust-Parchim.

The program is subject to change!

Dear audience from near and far, welcome to the Baroque Picnic at Ludwigslust Castle! Settle down on the lawn, at tables and benches or in the castle café and enjoy the weather, delicious snacks and the incomparable atmosphere of this year's festivities! Magnificently attired visitors from the most important courts are expected, and for entertainment there will be music from harp to bagpipes and of course the very latest dances. Ladies give an insight into the secrets of fans, flea traps and laced bodices. Artisans weave precious tapestries before your very eyes, revive the old art of papier-mâché in Ludwigslust and produce artistic silhouettes. Market traders offer treasures and specialties for sale. For young and old alike, there are robes for hire to get that baroque feeling. There is entertainment for young and old in the castle and on the lawn. Choose what you like!

It starts the day before:

Saturday, May 25, 2024:

10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

Botanical-faunistic excursion to unrestricted areas in Ludwigslust Palace Park

Organized by the Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Mecklenburg e.V.. Meeting point: Natureum. Cost: 4 euros, members of the society 3 euros, children half price.

18.00 hrs, town church

"Young talents in Ludwigslust - extra!"

Festive concert on the eve of the Baroque Picnic. Admission 20 euros, children up to 16 years free. Holders of the volunteer card receive a 2 euro discount.

Artists from the Ludwigslust International Music Academy will perform under the artistic direction of Rostock double bass professor Matthias Thoenes. The concert offers the opportunity to follow the careers of young talents who have made a name for themselves with outstanding performances at the music academy.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

11.00 a.m.

Opening of the Baroque Picnic 2024 on the lawn parterre by Court Marshal Henrik

11.00 a.m.

"A residence in transition" - public palace tour, meeting point palace foyer (admission, guided tour)

Duke Friedrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin had the new palace built between 1772 and 1776 as the centerpiece of the late Baroque town of Ludwigslust. In the restored rooms of the east wing, courtly art and domestic culture of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are on display in the form of furniture, clocks, paintings and busts.

11.30 a.m.

"...that I thought this rushing stream would flood us all" - The legendary folding sluice in Ludwigslust Park. Lawn parterre, pagoda of the Friends' Association

Master builder Clemens uses a model of the sluice gate to explain how this miracle of 18th century technology worked and how it frightened the court society.

12.00 p.m.

"...only glittering dances" - harp recital with Merit Zloch, meeting point castle foyer, admission 1 euro

We know that many noble ladies played the hook harp in the 18th and early 19th centuries, at least since harp music from the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court was discovered shortly before 1800. Much of it was dedicated to the hereditary princess Helena Pavlovna, whose fate began unusually for her time with a happy marriage - and ended dramatically.

12.00 p.m.

"The Empire dancers are guests" - dance floor on the lawn parterre

The group led by Hamburg dance master Birte Hoffmann-Cabenda brings dances from the 1800s to Ludwigslust, danced in authentic period dress. And the incredibly cheerful dancers invite you to dance along!

12.30 pm

"Secrets of the bodice" - dance floor on the lawn parterre

Master tailor Britt Sobotta from Berlin will introduce you to the history and function of this historically significant piece of clothing.

13.00 hrs

"Madame, have you heard?" - children's castle tour, meeting point castle foyer, admission 1 euro

Children and young people, accompanied by their parents and grandparents if they wish, will learn curious facts about fashion, personal hygiene and fan language on this special tour of the palace. One or two secrets are sure to be divulged along the way.

13.00 hrs

"...that I thought this rushing stream would flood us all" - The legendary folding sluice in Ludwigslust Park. Lawn parterre, pagoda of the Friends' Association

Master builder Clemens uses a model of the folding sluice to explain how this miracle of 18th century technology worked and how it frightened the court society in the most beautiful way.

1.30 p.m.

"The bagpipe orchestra plays" - dance floor on the lawn parterre

The bagpipes do not belong to Scotland alone! Until the 19th century, the bagpipe was an important instrument in many rural bands in Germany. Its sound was also popular at court, for example in France.

14.00 hrs

"A residence in transition" - public palace tour, meeting point palace foyer (admission, guided tour)

Duke Friedrich had the new palace built between 1772 and 1776 as the centerpiece of the late Baroque town of Ludwigsust. In the restored rooms of the east wing, courtly art and domestic culture of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are on display.

14.00 hrs

"The Empire dancers are guests" - dance floor on the lawn parterre

The group led by Hamburg dance master Birte Hoffmann-Cabenda brings dances from around 1800 to Ludwigslust, danced in authentic period dress. And the incredibly cheerful dancers invite you to dance along!

2.30 pm

"Two unequal brothers" - puppet theater with Jürgen Wicht, meeting point castle foyer, admission 1 Euro

Duke Karl Leopold wants everything. He doesn't even begrudge his little brother Christian Ludwig anything. He tries to drive the little one away by force. But he knows how to defend himself with cunning and wit... A piece of regional history, told like a fairy tale.

2.30 p.m.

"Superstar Johann Matthias Sperger does the honors", dance floor on the lawn parterre

Sperger (1750-1812) was the top double bass player of his time and a prolific composer. He will be a guest at the Baroque Picnic for the first time - played by Frank Thönes, Rostock double bass professor and new Artistic Director of the Ludwigslust Palace Concerts.

3.00 p.m.

"Play up, Musici!" - Dance floor on the lawn parterre

Musicians led by the Viennese expert for historical instruments and dance, Simon Wascher, present the results of a workshop in Ludwigslust.

3.30 p.m.

"...only glittering dances" - harp talk concert with Merit Zloch. Castle, meeting point castle foyer, admission 1 euro

We know that many noble ladies played the hook harp in the 18th and early 19th centuries, at least since harp music from the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court was discovered shortly before 1800. Much of it was dedicated to the hereditary princess Helena Pavlovna, whose fate began unusually for her time with a happy marriage - and ended dramatically.

3.30 p.m.

"Superstar Johann Matthias Sperger does the honors", dance floor on the lawn parterre

Sperger (1750-1812) was the top double bass player of his time and a prolific composer. He will be a guest at the Baroque Picnic for the first time - played by Frank Thönes, Rostock double bass professor and new Artistic Director of the Ludwigslust Palace Concerts.

16.00 hrs

"The bagpipe orchestra plays" - dance floor on the lawn parterre

The bagpipes do not belong to Scotland alone! Until the 19th century, the bagpipe was an important instrument in many rural bands in Germany. In the 18th century, its sound was also popular at court, for example in France.

4.30 p.m.

"...I thought this torrent would flood us all" - The legendary sluice gate in Ludwigslust Park. Lawn parterre, pagoda of the Friends' Association

Master builder Clemens uses a model of the bascule sluice to explain how this 18th century engineering marvel worked and how it terrified the court society.

17.00 hrs

"Minuet in jeans - anything but dusty" - dance floor on the lawn parterre

Annekatrin Gall and Simon Wascher bring historical dance into the present day. Both are proven experts and have a lot of fun doing it. Taking part is cool!