Bavaria’s “Music in Bavaria” State Exhibition Set to Resonate in Freyung

Freyung, Bavaria – From April 25th to November 8th, 2026, the town of Freyung will host the “Musik in Bayern” (Music in Bavaria) state exhibition, a comprehensive exploration of Bavarian musical heritage. The exhibition, formally opening on April 24th, is spearheaded by the Folk Music Academy in Freyung and promises a rich program of events.

A 199-Day Celebration of Bavarian Music

Roland Pongratz, the head of the Folk Music Academy in Freyung, has organized 199 live concerts to coincide with the 199 days of the exhibition. The project has a total budget of approximately 500,000 euros. Pongratz and the House of Bavarian History have emphasized that this is not merely an accompanying program, but rather the central musical program of the state exhibition. [Source: Facebook – Musik in Bayern – Bayerische Landesausstellung 2026]

Saint Patrick’s Day Kickoff at the Folk Music Academy

The Folk Music Academy in Bavaria will host a special “Saint Patrick’s Day” event on March 17th, 2026, beginning at 7:00 PM. The event will blend Irish and Bavarian musical traditions, featuring performances from “Ringelirish,” “Shameless Jabber,” “Sneers ’n Cheers,” “Woidfolk,” and “Mac C&C.” [Source: Veranstaltungen – Volksmusikakademie Bayern] Guests can enjoy Guinness, Irish stew, pretzels, and sausage salad. Admission is a small donation, and musicians performing spontaneously will receive a complimentary drink. [Source: Veranstaltungen – Volksmusikakademie Bayern]

Roland Pongratz: A Champion of Bavarian Folk Music

Roland Pongratz is a prominent figure in the promotion of Bavarian folk music. He founded the “Drumherum” folk music festival, which attracted 50,000 visitors in 2024. [Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung] He also leads the Lower Bavarian Agricultural Museum in Regen, serves as a cultural consultant for the Regen district, and is the editor-in-chief of the folk music magazine Zwiefach. [Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung] Pongratz has been vocal about the importance of music education in schools and the require to support the arts. [Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung]

Further Information

For more information about the “Musik in Bayern” state exhibition, visit the Facebook page: Musik in Bayern – Bayerische Landesausstellung 2026. Details about events at the Folk Music Academy in Bavaria can be found at: Volksmusikakademie Bayern Veranstaltungen.