Magdeburg in focus: premiere This, that, pineapple” with citizen stories!

Magdeburg in focus: premiere This, that, pineapple” with citizen stories!

Otto-von-Guericke-Straße 64, 39104 Magdeburg, Deutschland - On June 12, 2025, the project "This, that, pineapple" celebrates its premiere in the Schauspielhaus Magdeburg. In an innovative cooperation between the Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg and the drama house are presented from over 60 biographical and street interviews with Magdeburg citizens are. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Kersten Sven Roth carried out nine students from the master's degree programs of media gamers and teaching interviews.

The interviews took place in various locations in the city, from busy places to cafés to bus stops. The aim was to gain insights into the perspectives of the citizens, apart from some media headlines that affect topics such as migration, energy transition and gender. The results of the interviews are impressive: personal stories and memories were recorded on 535 pages that reflect the social and cultural pulse of the city.

The project and its presentation

The texts that the students assembled under the guidance of Katrin Enders, dramaturge at the Magdeburg Theater, are presented by the ensemble of the Schauspielhaus in the casino of the Schauspielhaus. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and also offers a discussion round with the students and an exchange with the audience.

The project "This, that, pineapple" aims to strengthen the connection between university teaching, art and urban society. It shows how valuable local voices and perspectives are for cultural life in Magdeburg. Voices that are often ignored in an increasingly complex world.

The cultural context in Magdeburg

Magdeburg is not only known for this project, but also for its extensive cultural offer. As the birthplace of Georg Philipp Telemann and the place of work of Richard Wagner, the city has a historical connection to art that lives on. Visit Magdeburg describes the diverse events that range from open-air concerts to theater and cabaret to exhibitions.

In addition, the Magdeburger Biographical Lexicon includes a significant reference work that includes 1766 biographies of personalities that have played an important role in the region. This standard work illuminates the history of the city and the surrounding space, whereby the focus is between 1800 and 2001. The first presentation took place in the Magdeburg Cathedral of St. Sebastian and shows the high cultural heritage of this city.

The MBL, edited by Guido Heinrich and Gunter Schara, is also available online and offers a valuable resource for everyone who wants to learn more about the history of Magdeburg.

Overall, the project "This, the, pineapple" embodies a multifaceted opportunity to hear and understand the voices of the Magdeburg citizens, while at the same time it comes to the fore the rich cultural heritage of the city.