This summer, the vacant Chemnitz Schauspielhaus will become a stage for contemporary art. Parallel to the international festival "Theater der Welt", the art festival "Begehungen" wants to reopen the theater building from 1980 to present positions by contemporary artists. To this end, a worldwide call has now been launched. The show, entitled "In the Imagination", is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 5.
Every year, the festival transforms abandoned locations into temporary galleries - from a former prison and a derelict swimming pool to a decommissioned lignite-fired power plant last year. In the Capital of Culture year 2025, the "Begehungen" attracted around 56,000 visitors.
Festival theme: "In the imagination"
This year, they are dedicated to the staging of reality and the resulting dangers. According to a press release, digital media, AI-supported image generation and accelerated public spheres are increasingly blurring the boundaries between reality and simulation. "In this field of tension, democratic negotiation processes are coming under pressure, while authoritarian and technocratic models of rule are gaining influence." The festival wants to reflect on such dangerous staging strategies with the means of art and counter them with something powerful.
There is controversy surrounding the currently vacant Schauspielhaus as an important cultural institution in the city. It was opened in 1980 after the previous building fell victim to a fire. It was actually supposed to be extensively renovated for 16 million euros. However, according to the city, the costs have exploded, so the work has been put on hold and a new building is being discussed elsewhere. Last year, activists occupied the building to protest for its preservation and against cuts in the cultural and social sectors.
Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
