Langelandsfestival, one of Denmark’s longest-running music festivals, has filed for bankruptcy, leading to the cancellation of this year’s event.
The annual Danish music festival Langelandsfestival, one of the country’s longest-running music festivals, has filed for bankruptcy. The event was first launched in 1991, with some 35,000 people traditionally in attendance.
In December last year, festival organizers announced that a 2023 edition would not be possible due to financial issues caused by 2022’s 30th-anniversary edition. But festival organizers released a statement last month saying that Langelandsfestival “unfortunately has to announce that the company will be closed down.”
“It has always been a great pleasure for me to do the Langelandsfestival, and although the economy has been fluctuating, I have always believed in the concept. However, the challenges of recent years, the market, and the prospects as such have challenged me in that thinking,” says Allan K. Pedersen, Festival Director and owner of Langelandsfestival since 2006.
“Some of what I have loved most has been meeting guests, crew, and partners as I have walked around the festival area,” Pedersen continues. “Happy people who have created their own festivities and enjoyed their (vacations) with us. So much the more it annoys me that we did not get enough tickets sold this summer.”
According to the festival’s official statement, not enough tickets were sold to ensure an “acceptable festival economy, and “after all bills for 2022 have been paid, the result is a large million deficit.”
“After an extensive search of the market for alternative solutions and several meetings with potential partners and stakeholders, we unfortunately have to conclude that it has not been possible to find a sustainable future for the festival. We would also like to inform our business partners and suppliers that there are no eligible invoices that are unpaid at this time,” the festival’s statement explains.
“We would like to thank our dedicated crew, artists, guests, and all those who have supported Langelandsfestival A/S over the years,” the statement added. “Although Langelandsfestival A/S closes down, the memories and moments from the festival will always be part of our shared history. Thank you for 30 years — we hope you will all support other festivals and cultural events in the future.”
Among the performances at Langelandsfestival in the past include Santana, The Corrs, Earth Wind & Fire, The Doors, Thin Lizzy, Sugarbabes, and Rick Astley.