Theater Plauen-Zwickau: 25,000 signatures for cultural rescue!

Theater Plauen-Zwickau: 25,000 signatures for cultural rescue!

Things are simmering in Zwickau – and not just in the figurative sense. On Tuesday evening, the support associations of the Plauen-Zwickau Theater handed over a petition with almost 25,000 signatures to the mayor of Zwickau, Constanze Arndt. This exceeded the initiators' expectations fivefold. This impressive support shows that the interest in cultural diversity and artistic education in the region remains unbroken. The supporters hope that the city of Plauen will also take similar steps to secure the theater.

“The theater is a cornerstone of education, upbringing and social life,” emphasizes Henry Klüglich, spokesman for the support associations. In his plea, he calls on those responsible to avoid cuts in the artistic sector in order to ensure diverse performances for all viewers. Marcus Sandmann, the theater's works council chairman, sees the signatures as strong support for the 270 employees. “It is incomprehensible that positions are once again up for debate despite compliance with the economic plan and increased income,” criticizes Sandmann.

Cultural support and financial challenges

However, the financial scope is becoming increasingly narrow. The annual budget of 20 million euros is no longer sufficient for the scope of theater operations. Without additional funding, there is a risk of up to 70 performances being canceled, which would be particularly painful since many productions are regularly sold out. Artistic institutions are particularly challenged in a climate in which there is a lack of financial resources in the cultural sector.

The cultural finance report from the Federal Statistical Office shows that public cultural spending increased from 9.3 billion euros in 2010 to 14.5 billion euros in 2020, but there is also an investment backlog here. Many cultural institutions, including theaters, are struggling for financial support. Particularly in rural areas, there is a lack of skilled workers and the necessary resources to maintain cultural offerings. The German Cultural Council is therefore calling for a redesign of the framework conditions for the cultural sector in order to find long-term solutions.

Commitment to the future

The Zwickau Theater Support Association plays a crucial role here. It is not only a non-profit organization, but also a link between the theater and the population. The aim of the association is to awaken young people's enthusiasm for theater and to promote the shared experience of theater art. The association actively supports the theater by supporting specific projects and purchases.

The current situation makes it clear that the cultural policy challenges have by no means been solved. Even in times of tight budget situation, it is important to focus on cultural education and support in order to maintain diversity in Zwickau and beyond. We are excited to see what happens next and hope for positive developments for the theater landscape in our region soon.