Riesa hosts ibug urban art festival at former Muskator-Werk

The 21st edition of the ibug festival for urban art has commenced at the former Muskator-Werk, a decommissioned animal feed factory in Riesa, Germany. The festival transforms the industrial wasteland into a massive open-air gallery featuring works by approximately 60 to 72 artists representing 18 different countries.

The installations include paintings, graffiti, multimedia works, and upcycling projects that integrate the historic industrial buildings into the art itself. Notable feats include a large-scale mural by Belgian artist Yves Gallard, who rappelled from a height of 70 meters to cover 700 square meters with over 200 liters of paint.

Scheduled to run across three weekends in August and September, the event combines art with industrial culture through workshops, concerts, talks, and guided tours. The festival also marks the 20th anniversary of the organizing association.