Terrible fire destroys old operetta in Dresden-Leuben!

Terrible fire destroys old operetta in Dresden-Leuben!

The old operetta in the Dresden district of Leuben has completely burned out. A dramatic event that not only means the loss of a historic building, but also raises the concerns of many citizens. On Friday evening, June 7, 2025, at 7:37 p.m., the fire was reported that broke out in the back of the operetta. Despite the great efforts of the fire brigade, which fought the flames for over twelve hours, the building could not be saved. The former auditorium, which was located at the back of the operetta, collapsed as a result of the fire that night.

Police have launched an arson investigation, but there is currently no information regarding negligent or intentional arson. Fire investigators have not yet been able to examine the building due to the acute risk of collapse. The condition of the old operetta, which was built in 1889 and remodeled after the Second World War, was already worrying before the fire. Security concerns made it impossible to use the house. There has been repeated vandalism, including a deliberate arson in 2022.

The fate of the old operetta

The citizens' initiative “Alte Operette – Revitalize Leuben” has been fighting for the preservation of the building for years. Dr. Rainer Kempe, 81 years old and the head of the initiative, sees the old operetta as an important cultural heritage that should not end in decay. “It is tragic that we have been trying in vain to keep the operetta alive for eight years,” he says, expressing his great concerns. The initiative emphasizes that without restoration measures, the risk of further vandalism increases and the loss of the operetta could be permanent.

The city of Dresden has already raised funds for maintenance and property security in the past, which is estimated at 32,600 euros by April 2025. In addition, 800,000 euros were budgeted for the modernization of the old operetta in the 2023/24 budget, but these funds were used for another project, which caused indignation within the citizens' initiative. “The city's priorities are unacceptable,” criticizes Heike Witopil, 61, and instead calls for the operetta to be preserved instead of a new concert hall.

A cultural site for Leuben

There have long been considerations about preserving the building for various uses, including as a high school or for social housing. A feasibility study from 2022 showed the potential of the old operetta as a cultural center for Leuben. Many citizens, including Petra Hering, 68, hope for a revival of the house, which could benefit both dance and sports clubs. Sächsische.de reports on the condition of the building, while the website of the citizens' initiative alte-operette-dresden.de calls for revival. The preservation of cultural and historical buildings is not just a local matter, but also affects the identity of a city, as in Wikipedia is described.

This tragic incident shows how important it is to preserve and care for cultural monuments. Care in maintaining such buildings is crucial to preserving a city's cultural heritage, especially when there is a risk of vandalism and decay. The future of the old operetta remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the fight for its survival will continue.