Capital of Culture: Activists occupy playhouse

In protest against cultural and social cuts, activists plan to occupy the Chemnitz Schauspielhaus for the whole weekend. At the same time, they are demanding the preservation of the striking building, which was opened as a new building in 1980. The previous building fell victim to a fire. The building is currently empty and the planned refurbishment is on hold due to a cost explosion.

A spokesperson for the group told the German Press Agency that 150 to 200 people were on site for the kick-off on Friday evening. Further events and actions are planned for the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, the Dresden brass band "Banda Communale" has announced that it will play on the forecourt. On Sunday, there will be a rally at 1 p.m. with various speeches.

"C the Closed" - preservation of the Schauspielhaus demanded

Chemnitz is the European Capital of Culture this year. In reference to the Capital of Culture motto "C the Unseen", the activists have named their campaign "C the Closed". It is intended to send a signal against austerity measures by the federal, state and local governments in the social and cultural sectors. According to a statement, what is saved today will cost the future. "We have to ask ourselves who we want to be in the future; because we are at a decisive turning point where it will be determined who we will be."

At the same time, the group is campaigning for the preservation of the Schauspielhaus. It was actually supposed to be refurbished as a so-called intervention area for the Capital of Culture. 16 million euros were earmarked for this. According to the city, modernization would now be far more expensive, so alternatives are being examined. The drama department and the puppet theater of the Chemnitz Theater are currently working in an alternative location. Chemnitz will host the international "Theater der Welt" festival next year.

The action was peaceful and there were no plans to intervene, said a spokesperson for the city council when asked by dpa. The whole thing was seen as a "spontaneous intervention".