Hi! I'm a true child of the coast, born in Flensburg, just a few meters from the Baltic Sea beach. We lived right by the harbor, so I was in the thick of things with sailors, quaint pubs, trams, and organ grinders. Even as a child, I was fascinated by the small, winding alleyways around the corner from our apartment. I found the lively atmosphere and the music from the historic houses exciting.
Of course, Flensburg eventually became too 'provincial' for me. I wanted more culture, more concerts, more museums, more exhibitions, more life! So, off to Hamburg I went. Because the waterfront was a must.
And then? Then Lübeck came into my life. Or vice versa? Doesn't matter!
Lübeck quickly became my absolute favorite hometown!
Perhaps because it reminded me a little of my hometown? But somehow even MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL! Of course, I fell head over heels in love with the alleyways and courtyards. These little hidden treasures and beauties of our Hanseatic city are absolutely worth a visit! I especially enjoy exploring with our legendary night watchman, Thomas Arndt. His public tours through the alleyways are legendary. I promise!
I could never have imagined the role these alleyways would one day play in my (cultural) life. And finding a home in one of them was completely out of the question. But dreams do come true! In 2015, I moved into the Weintraubengang (Grape Alley), into one of the small "booths." If you find your way to our alleyway, you might run into "Erik im Glück" (Erik in Luck), the fortune teller, or an urban sketcher. And did you know that Lübeck's first "seedy" cinema was located in this very alleyway?
There's an incredible amount going on culturally and gastronomically around me. Tonfink, the Willy Brandt House Lübeck , the European Hanseatic Museum , the restaurant Fangfrisch , the UTER Konditoreibar , Café Fräulein Brömse , and so much more. All within walking distance! What a gift.
the cultural token
This gift was rewrapped at the beginning of 2020! Without a bow! Without a glitter ribbon. Just silence! No street performers, no theater, no concerts, no readings. Cultural life was brought to a standstill, and artists and cultural workers were left with nothing. No gigs! No money! I couldn't just stand by and do nothing, so I founded the non-profit organization Kulturtaler Lübeck .
Our goal was to provide quick and uncomplicated financial and material assistance to the beleaguered artists.
Together with many Lübeck residents, we have achieved a great deal. So far, we have raised 35,000 Thalers . A fantastic sum, which has already allowed us to support over 50 artists and cultural workers .
Florian Künstler, for example, wanted to finally make music again and give people something beautiful. Well, and to earn money, of course. We were only too happy to approve his application for funding for his project, "Small Garden Concerts." We topped up or covered fees, made exhibitions and concerts possible, had musical instruments repaired, and listened. Listening was so important. Our advisory board did a wonderful job with that.
"The Lübeck Culture Thaler saved my bacon in the worst of times! Thank you for your commitment!"
Florian Künstler
"The cultural award enabled me to give my first performance after many months of inactivity. It was a wonderful experience to be able to tell stories in the courtyard – to be able to enchant the audience with fairy tales on a perfect day and to see radiant, dreamy faces."
Gerhard P. Bosche
Get moving!
To enable artists to perform and bring culture back to Lübeck residents, the Kulturtaler (Culture Badge) launched the " KOMM IN DIE GÄNGE " (Come into the Passages) program. In various beautiful passageways, artists and guests can experience cultural moments in a unique setting. For example, amidst roses and urban gardens, there have already been classical concerts with mezzo-soprano Hanna Szperalski, and fairy tales and storytelling with Gerhard P. Bosche. Linny Johnson and Georg Harris performed moonlight concerts during the "KOMM IN DIE GÄNGE – Museumsnacht Spezial" (Come into the Passages – Museum Night Special) evenings. Admission is always free .
We want to make cultural participation possible for everyone. And if people can't come to us, perhaps because they have physical limitations, then we'll go to them and bring them cultural experiences.
We're looking forward to everything that's still to come. The worst is over! But our work continues because we see how important our small contribution to society is, and because we simply want to keep Lübeck's cultural diversity alive. In the alleyways, in the courtyards, and in the neighborhoods.
