Bielefeld's Fractions”: Free music festivals conquer the Zion Church!

Bielefeld's Fractions”: Free music festivals conquer the Zion Church!

New music is conquering Bielefeld and January 2026 will be a highlight for music lovers. The ninth “Frakzionen” festival is taking place in the Zionskirche in Bielefeld-Bethel. This sought-after event, which has established itself as a stronghold for contemporary music in recent years, offers a varied program from January 11th to 18th that includes lectures, concerts and a church service. Entry to the events is free, although donations are requested at the exit. This gives everyone interested access to new music, regardless of their financial background.

The development of “Frakzionen”, which was originally launched as a “test balloon”, is particularly interesting. Under the direction of Christof Pülsch, the artistic director and church musician of the Zionsgemeinde, the event has become a real crowd puller. “The Zionskirche offers a very special atmosphere that brings visitors closer to what contemporary music is all about,” says Pülsch.

A look at the program

A colorful bouquet of events is on the program for festival visitors:

• So, 11. Januar: 15:00/16:00/17:00 Uhr: Counterpoints
• Di, 13. Januar: 19:00 Uhr: Open Space
• Mi, 14. Januar: 19:00 Uhr: Vortrag
• Do, 15. Januar: 19:00 Uhr: Chorworkshop
• Fr, 16. Januar: 18:00/19:00/20:00/21:00 Uhr: 1 Vortrag, 3 Konzerte
• Sa, 17. Januar: 15:00-21:00 Uhr: 1 Vortrag, 6 Konzerte
• So, 18. Januar: 10:00 Uhr: Gottesdienst; 15:00/16:00/17:00 Uhr: 3 Konzerte

The event series not only strives for high artistic standards, but also promotes an intimate closeness between the musicians and their audience through short concert units. “We want the listeners to be able to really immerse themselves in the music and be there live,” explains Pülsch.

The role of “fractions” in the music landscape

“Fractions” is not alone. As the German Music Information Center (miz) reports, Germany has a variety of similar festivals for new music to offer. These events are characterized by their international aspects and special thematic focuses. The “Frakzionen” festival is a prime example of how modern sound art in general and access to contemporary music in particular can be promoted.

Thanks to the support of sponsors such as the Kunststiftung NRW, the Hanns Bisegger Foundation, the Bielefeld Community Foundation and the Church Foundation for Bielefeld, it is possible to offer “fractions” in this form. The diversity and quality of the programs make it clear that Bielefeld is very popular in the new music scene and is developing into an important location for innovative musical projects.

Whether you are a connoisseur or a newcomer to the world of new music, the “Frakzions” event in January promises unforgettable experiences. If you would like to see the dates and the complete program, you can find all the information on the festival website www.frakzionen-festival.de.