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At the end of March every year, dozens of illustrators gather in the German city of Leipzig to present their work. But there are no traditional canvases on show. Instead, this meeting is all about eggs, a symbol that is closely associated with Easter celebrations.
Their creations, however, have little to do with classic Easter egg colouring.
Many of them use craft techniques that are several centuries old and have often been passed down from generation to generation.
This year, according to the organisers, artists from Germany, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Great Britain were represented. They provided insights into a wide variety of regional traditions and approaches.
A considerable among of tender care is required. Artists often spend up to ten hours to decorate a small single egg, while larger works can take weeks.
“You have to imagine it like this: Every artist has their own special technique. Some use several techniques and like to combine them,” explained organiser Kerstin Dischereit in an interview with the AP news agency.
Around 8,000 examples are on display and there is a wide variety of materials used. In addition to classic hen’s eggs, exhibitors used budgerigar, quail, goose and even ostrich eggs.
Numerous traditions and celestial eggs
Sorbian Easter egg art is probably one of the best-known decorating techniques alongside methods such as waxing, wax-bossing, scratching or etching.
The Sorbian tradition is just one of many techniques originating from different regions of Europe.
Artist Agnes Martin works according to the Ukrainian model: “The eggs are coloured in different dye baths. The wax is used to cover the areas that are to remain coloured. Finally, the wax is melted off and the result is ready.”
More modern methods were also on demonstrated. Some participants used mixed media for collages and sculptures or eggs in the style of the famous Fabergé works.
Among the unusual exhibits were “egg” phones made from eggshells or so-called celestial eggs, which show constellations or are designed as globes.
For visitors, the festival provides a mix of time-honoured tradition that have long since disappeared and modern techniques.
The date for next year ‘eggstravaganza’ has already been set and promises an even more spectacular show as Leipzig’s “Eierlei” will celebrate its 30th anniversary on 6 and 7 March 2027.