Chemnitz in the culture war: the theater should blossom again!

Chemnitz in the culture war: the theater should blossom again!

In Chemnitz, the discussion about the Schauspielhaus is more intense than ever before. The general director of the Chemnitz Theater, Christoph Dittrich, approaches the matter with a dose of optimism. He sees the city's current proposals for new projects as a real opportunity to bring a breath of fresh air into the cultural landscape. The concept includes, among other things, the creation of a puppet theater, a studio stage and rooms for participatory projects. But the condition of the existing theater in the Victims of Fascism Park currently gives rise to little hope of a quick solution.

The theater suffered greatly from serious deficiencies such as fire protection deficiencies, poor structural integrity and outdated technical systems. While renovation is theoretically possible, the estimated cost of 34 million euros is daunting. These would have to be applied in a complex process that would require dismantling down to the shell construction, new replacements and extensive intervention in load-bearing components. After the summer break, the Chemnitz city council will have to deal with the proposal and decide on possible financing and funding options, because the debate about preserving the theater has been going on for years.

A dilapidated theater and protests

In the meantime, theater operations are at a standstill, which makes it necessary to use the transition rooms in the spinning building. This solution is not only inconvenient because it is far from the city center, but also entails high rental costs, which put an additional strain on the budget. In view of this precarious situation, the protest alliance “C the Closed” was formed. Activists occupied the empty theater in May and loudly demanded more financial resources for culture. The campaign met with widespread approval: around 150 to 200 people were involved and occupied the building over the weekend.

The activists gathered under the motto “C the Closed”, a reference to the Capital of Culture bid “C the Unseen”. Chemnitz is the European Capital of Culture this year, but hopes for a revitalized cultural scene are being severely dampened by the ongoing austerity measures by the federal, state and local governments. The 16 million euros originally planned for the modernization of the theater have been put on hold for the time being due to cost explosions. A big breakthrough seems to remain in the distance, and the city is now considering alternatives.

Emotional support from the population

The situation has mobilized people in Chemnitz; Even the local band Kraftklub performed in front of the theater and criticized the city's austerity policies. The actors from the Chemnitz Theater also did their best and held up posters with the inscription “Our city needs its theater” during a performance. Their message is clear: The Schauspielhaus has provided a stage for many well-known artists such as Ulrich bother, Corinna Harfouch and Michael Gwisdek, and it is time to give it a future.

The theater was founded in 1980 after the old building burned down and was considered one of the most modern theaters in the GDR. Today it is a listed building and many fear that this valuable part of the city's history could be lost. The coming months will be crucial to clarify whether Chemnitz is ready to invest in the cultural future of its citizens or whether the demolition of the theater dream will actually become a reality.