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July 13 – 15, 1989

The third Linz Pflasterspektakel broke yet another record: 291 performers from 13 countries presented their acts. Because there were more applications than performance possibilities it was necessary for the first time to make a selection. The Berlin Wall was still in place at the time, the so-called Eastern bloc still existed, and many representatives of the region’s culture were present in Linz to take part in the festival. The Oberösterreichische Nachrichten wrote, “The Linz Pflasterspektakel is becoming an east-west divan – applications have been received from Hungary and the GDR as well.” Between the Hauptplatz and Langgasse there were 20 locations which could be used by each group or solo performer for two hours between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. After these two hours, the performers changed over. In the festival headquarters, which was now in the college of art on the Hauptplatz, a large board was put up showing the program for each day. In the previous years the trams had experienced great difficulty finding a way through the crowds of enthusiastic spectators, so this year a replacement bus service was introduced in the evenings of Friday and Saturday.

And not only that:
On the Hauptplatz there was a little circus presenting acts with wild animals and the Scottish performer Jenny Brent had to be taken to hospital after an accident during her fire-eating show.