From hospital to cultural site: Dolls awaken emotions in Aurich!

From hospital to cultural site: Dolls awaken emotions in Aurich!

In Aurich, where a hospital once stood, the cultural diversity of puppetry unfolds, which has a deeply rooted tradition, especially in this region. Eike Schmidt, a renowned puppeteer, brings people together with a novel theater project that focuses on two puppets. “The puppet show awakens emotions and makes you think,” he reveals in an interview. Schmidt and his team aim to use their craft to create a space for exchange and dialogue, addressing topics such as dementia, loneliness and war. Former youth pastor Patrick Senner has taken on the role of community manager and is actively supporting the project. He achieves this by taking up the different facets of the topics and making them accessible to a wider audience.

The Lazarett Theater itself has developed over the years from a place of healing into a lively cultural site. The location not only offers space for acting performances, but also contributes to Aurich's cultural identity. Interested visitors can best reach the theater by bicycle, as there are enough parking spaces on site. Alternatively, public transport is available, such as the bus to the “Lazarettweg” stop or the Aurich central bus station, from where you can easily reach the theater on foot. There are free parking options in the area for drivers, for example on Oldersumer Straße or Julianenburger Straße.

The legacy of puppetry

Puppetry has a long and eventful history in Europe, dating back to the 13th century. The first written mention of hand puppet shows comes from France and proves the tradition of puppetry as a supranational phenomenon that was spread by traveling minstrels. Over the centuries, puppetry has constantly evolved, both artistically and thematically. In the German-speaking world, the first mechanical theaters emerged during the Renaissance, which revolutionized character animation.

With their current program, Schmidt and his team are contributing to the centuries-old tradition of puppetry. They use rod puppets to address complex topics in an accessible way. The creative use of these props not only creates entertainment, but also promotes understanding of serious social issues. This makes the Theater Lazarett a place where culture and dialogue go hand in hand and where the legacy of puppetry is continued.

The fact that puppetry is gaining momentum again not only in Aurich but throughout Germany is evident from the numerous initiatives and festivals that have been launched in recent years. The fascination for the small characters remains unbroken, and the theater landscape offers space for creative experiments and interdisciplinary approaches. Visit the Theater Lazarett and experience for yourself how contemporary art forms emerge from historical traditions!

For more information about the theater and how to get there, you can visit the Theater Lazarett website.