Under the artistic direction of Dieter Jaenicke, HELLERAU’s aim since January 2008 has been to pick up on the heyday of the old festivals and turn the site back into the most important centre for the contemporary arts in eastern Germany – with a packed programme and an interesting cast.
Dieter Jaenicke, the artistic director, on taking up the position in January 2008:
Hellerau sparkles
Hellerau is one of Dresden’s key institutions and symbols along with the Frauenkirche, the Semper Opera House, the Zwinger, the Green Vault, the Blue Wonder and all the other sights this exceptional city has to offer. The Festival Theatre is known all over the world; the festival hall is unique in appearance and one of the loveliest events venues in Europe. With its history, its traditions and the pioneering ideas that have been developed and undertaken here, Hellerau has an important place in the world of culture. But for me, Hellerau is by no means a museum. I am thrilled at the idea of reviving a new, lively, modern form of the vision – the “legend of Hellerau” – that originated here 100 years ago.
Hellerau was, and still is, all about the contemporary arts. The aim is to turn Hellerau into a lively interdisciplinary arts centre that is modern, sophisticated and successful in every respect: one that is provocative, radical, global, European and situated at the geopolitical point where East meets West; a working environment for the arts, a site for intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange; a place where the arts develop, are created and displayed, but also a place for reflection, contemplation and looking ahead.
The arts cannot merely be self-referencing, related to appearance, beauty and form. The arts should and must become involved elsewhere. The major topics and problems we face – hunger, poverty, the climate, regulating globalisation so that it is compatible with human life and makes sense for society, all profits aside – these topics too will be addressed in Hellerau.
Hellerau has one of the world’s best choreographers right on site: William Forsythe. Many other top names from across Europe and the world will be appearing here in years to come. Contemporary music, which has long enjoyed a prominent position in Dresden, will be rejuvenated; the support of key national and international foundations is to turn it into a new creative force. This strategy involves not only creating a new format and profile for Dresden’s contemporary music festival, but also clearing the way for popular avant-garde forms of music and for contemporary music from other cultures. Hellerau is to act as a major stage for news media arts and technology, “digital arts” and experimental theatre, and the fine arts.
The people of Dresden have always had a relationship with Hellerau which seems a complicated mixture of liking, distance and scepticism. I hope very much to reshuffle this deck and add to it curiosity, enthusiasm and active participation.
