Karl May Games end with record: 445,298 spectators

This year, the Karl May Games in Bad Segeberg attracted 445,298 spectators to the Kalkberg. According to the organizer, this is the tenth record in a row. The ensemble around Alexander Klaws (Winnetou), Jan Hartmann (Old Firehand), Sila Sahin (Ribanna) and Nick Wilder (Emery Forster) played “Winnetou II – Ribanna and Old Firehand” in 72 performances. Last year, a good 430,000 visitors saw “Winnetou I – Blood Brothers”. “This is a very special day in the history of the Karl May Games,” said managing director Ute Thienel after the finale. She thanked the entire team in front of and behind the scenes.

The last performance had to be interrupted for around three quarters of an hour because an emergency doctor was called. A member of the audience had collapsed and was taken to hospital. Thienel explained why the performance was continued afterwards: It was difficult to get on with the day’s work. “But it didn’t seem right to leave you alone with this horror and send you home. As the Karl May family, we stand together even in such a moment.”

Nick Wilder expressed mixed feelings. He is of course looking forward to his home in Montana, says the actor, who played the evil villain Emery Forster on the open-air stage all summer. But he will miss a great team and wonderful audience. “It’s so much fun that I could actually carry on,” the 71-year-old told the dpa. “At the same time, I long for the rest.” He did not expect it to be so physically demanding. “It’s extremely demanding.”

Preparations for the 72nd season are already underway. The production of “Halbblut” will be performed from June 28 to September 7, 2025. Thienel said that Alexander Klaws will play Winnetou for the fifth time. The direction will again be in the hands of Nicolas König.