Young Talents From Achim Set to Represent Germany in Lisbon

In the town of Achim, near Bremen, anticipation is growing as the local hip-hop group Fusion prepares for its international debut. The 20 young dancers are heading to Lisbon, Portugal, to compete in their first-ever world championship — the World Gym for Life Challenge, taking place from July 21 to 27.

Founded just over a year ago by coach Isabel Cybulski and her daughter Pia, Fusion has already earned accolades at the regional level, including a state championship in hip-hop and first place in the Fun Dance category at the International Gymnastics Festival in Leipzig this May. But representing Germany on a global stage is a challenge unlike any they’ve faced.

With 141 teams from around the world participating — including 64 in Fusion’s category — the competition in Lisbon will be intense. Wearing the German eagle on their uniforms, the dancers from the small district of Uesen, home to just 4,800 residents, carry both pride and pressure into the arena.

“We don’t know where we stand compared to other teams,” admitted Isabel Cybulski. “We’ve never seen them perform, so it’s hard to predict how we’ll do.”

Emotional Performance With a Message

Fusion’s competition routine, titled Orphans, tells a powerful story of hardship, loss, and hope. The choreography has been in the works for nearly a year and was recently revised with new elements, requiring the dancers to relearn and perfect their movements.

The performance demands total precision. “Each of the 20 girls must know her role perfectly — there’s no room for error,” explained Cybulski. “Now I’m finally happy with how it’s coming together.” The group aims not just to impress the judges, but to move the audience with their emotional storytelling.

Meanwhile in Wittenburg: DAS Festival Poised for a Comeback in 2026

While Fusion takes German dance talent to the international stage, another celebration of rhythm and movement is making waves closer to home. In Wittenburg, plans are already underway to bring back DAS Festival — a popular electronic music event held at the town’s swimming pond — for a new edition in June 2026.

Despite rainy conditions during this year’s edition from June 6 to 9, the festival attracted around 1,800 attendees. For organizers and local officials, including Mayor Christian Greger and event co-founder Daniel Ledwa, that turnout was a sign of strong support for the event’s future.

“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive,” said Ledwa. “It was fun for guests and organizers alike.”

Balancing Fun and Responsibility

As with any public event, not all responses were favorable. Some Wittenburg residents voiced concerns about noise levels, saying the continuous music made it difficult to sleep. However, Mayor Greger emphasized that such complaints were limited and manageable.

Event organizers followed all required guidelines, including regular sound level monitoring to stay within legal limits. “All regulations were strictly observed,” he noted.

A Local Highlight With Growing Appeal

The festival also sparked curiosity among locals. Around 600 visitors came from Wittenburg and the surrounding areas alone — and organizers believe the number would have been even higher had the weather cooperated.

Now, with planning already in motion for the 2026 edition — scheduled for June 5–6 — the team behind DAS Festival is looking to fine-tune the concept and offer an even better experience. Greger described it as an event designed “for young people and the young at heart,” adding that such gatherings are rare in the region and should be preserved.