New wind at the Vorpommern theater: Rolf C. Hemke becomes director!

New wind at the Vorpommern theater: Rolf C. Hemke becomes director!

Weimar, Deutschland - The world of culture and art in Germany is currently experiencing an exciting change. Rolf C. Hemke, a passionate cultural professional, born in Cologne, recently took over the artistic direction of the Vorpommern Theater. The theater announced this, and Hemke will take up his new office on November 1, 2025. Until then, he will lead the Weimar art festival with full devotion, which will take place from August 20 to September 7, 2025 - the last festival edition under his aegis.

hemke, who saw the light of day in Cologne in 1972, has been the artistic director of the Weimar Art Festival in 2018/19, the most important festival for contemporary arts in East Germany. If he distinguished himself there by innovative programs, he now sees his new role in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as an order to set fresh impulses. The theater, which works in the cities of Stralsund, Greifswald and Putbus, apparently went on a creative journey with the commitment of Hemkes. His contract runs until July 2028.

A new wind blows in the artistic direction

Another exciting message is that Aurelia Eggers will be the new opera director at the Vorpommern Theater from the beginning of the season 2025/26. Eggers succeeds Wolfgang Berthold and brings fresh ideas into the musical design of the theater. Hemke's commitment as well as Eggers ’new position give hope that the Vorpommern Theater can reach new heights.

A look into the future of the theater landscape

The Friedrich Ebert Foundation has published a dossier that highlights the representation of East Germans in the artistic direction of theater houses. The results show that of 161 artistic leaders in 147 theaters only 25 come from East Germany. This is an alarming underrepresentation that is particularly pronounced in large theaters. The study, which also addresses the challenges and opportunities for East German in management positions, makes it clear that there is still a lot to do.

The cultural landscape in Germany is at a turning point, shaped by fresh thinking and a new generation of leaders. Rolf C. Hemke and his team take responsibility and are committed to the art and culture in eastern Germany.

For art and theater lovers, it remains exciting how the developments at Theater Vorpommern and Kunstfest Weimar will develop. Culture autumn 2025 definitely promises to be exciting.