Vandalism drama: State operetta burns down – who is to blame?

Vandalism drama: State operetta burns down – who is to blame?

Things are boiling in Dresden: The old state operetta has recently not only attracted unwanted attention due to vandalism and theft, but also due to a devastating fire that broke out at the end of May 2025. The incident has raised many questions about security and the chronology of events. It appears that the citizens' initiative, which has been active since December 2023, has done a lot to document the deterioration of the historic building and inform the city.

During an initial inspection by the initiative, not only heavy technical equipment such as copper cables, copper pipes and radiators were lost in the building, but incendiary devices and small firecrackers were also discovered. The initiative reports that a member saw an open window and observed teenagers inside. A video documenting the fire in the auditorium also raises questions: Was this the result of deliberate arson? John Pietzko, a dedicated member of the group, noticed the smell of burning during his inspection and saw flames in the main hall. Actually, after numerous warnings from the initiative, such as a lack of video surveillance and security rounds, the city had done little about the matter.

Security problems and declining alertness

The police investigations are now also aimed at possible youth gangs, but without any specific suspicion of the perpetrators. The extent to which the city has fulfilled its responsibility remains questionable. The initiative had pointed out the precarious situation several times - but so far without any noticeable changes. Rainer Kempe is now planning to save parts of the damaged building and possibly revive the state operetta. The auditorium and the roof structure probably suffered serious damage. A possible use of the cloakroom building and the head building for creative projects would certainly be good for the community spirit of the city.

The situation regarding copper theft is particularly worrying, which also points to larger economic problems. According to an investigation, Deutsche Bahn suffered damages of around 6.6 million euros due to copper theft in 2022 alone. This makes it clear that the theft of non-ferrous metals, especially copper, is an increasing problem that not only affects historic buildings, but also critical infrastructure. This condition also means that a total of 2,644 trains were affected due to such incidents and over 700 hours of delay occurred, significantly affecting the on-time delivery of many companies.

A look at arson in Germany

According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, numerous cases of arson occur in Germany every year. From 2014 to 2024 the numbers increased alarmingly. In 2024, a significant increase was recorded compared to previous years, which only increases concerns about juvenile crime and inadequate prevention measures by the authorities. The data compiled through April 2025 clearly shows that arson is no longer an isolated incident, but a symptom of deeper societal problems.

In this tense situation, the question arises as to how future incidents such as the fire in the old state operetta can be prevented. To underline the urgency of security measures, now is the time to finally take appropriate steps. The time for watching must definitely be over when it comes to protecting Dresden's cultural treasures.