Leipzig as a point of intersection

Leipzig's history has been decisively shaped by its role as a European trading centre. Located at the intersection of the important European trade routes Via Regia – running east-west from Russia to the Atlantic – and Via Imperii – running north-south from the Baltic to the Mediterranean – the city acted as a magnet for people and goods from all over Europe. This created not only a European trading hub for goods, but also a trans-shipment centre for ideas and culture.

Leipzig as a musical centre of attraction and a source of inspiration in Europe

In contrast to the residential cities, where the noble courts defined the cultural live, the citizens of Leipzig shaped the cultural development of the city themselves. As in only a few cities, music served and still serves in Leipzig as a medium of mediation and identity for the city's society. 
For centuries, Leipzig has therefore been a centre of attraction and radiation for musicians and musical institutions, benefiting from cultural exchange in Europe and at the same time promoting it. Without this musical exchange with Europe, Leipzig as a city of music would not exist.

Connecting factors for European activities

With the project "European Music Trails" this Leipzig tradition of musical sharing radiates into Europe. In the history of Leipzig as a city of music, there are numerous connecting factors for European activities, such as:

• Students of the Leipzig Conservatory came from all over Europe and subsequently influenced the development of music in their own countries.
• Leipzig composers (Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Wagner and Grieg etc.) undertook extensive concert tours throughout Europe.
• Leipzig's musical institutions (music publishers, Gewandhaus, Conservatory, St. Thomas Boys Choir) radiate out to Europe through the export of sheet music, guest appearances and master classes.
• A mutual musical exchange of Leipzig composers with colleagues throughout Europe (e.g., influence of Italian and French composers on Bach) is/was taking place.

Objectives of the project "European Music Trails”

A lived cultural heritage can convey values that are important for our coexistence in Europe. Through music we have always spoken a common language. The project "European Music Trails" focuses on the unifying power of music in Europe. It conveys that national cultural values, on the one hand, strengthen identification with the community and promote the assumption of responsibility. On the other hand, they are valuable assets for intercultural exchange and connect people. 
The relationship between national identity and common European values and the question of citizen participation in social processes are intensively discussed in all European countries. This theme is reflected in all project activities.
The core idea of the project is a mutual artistic exchange with changing partner countries as well as the development of new interested parties for the European cultural heritage represented by Leipzig pars pro toto. An important characteristic of the project is the active participation of citizens of the partnering countries as multipliers of the common cultural heritage. Based on the music historical background, the partner institutions from three countries develop a series of activities focusing on audience diversification as well as transnational mobility.