The Waldbühne Hameln: A historical legacy on new paths!

The Waldbühne Hameln: A historical legacy on new paths!

Something is stirring again in the picturesque Klütwald above the Felsenkellerweg! There was once an open-air stage here, which was initiated in the 1930s by the National Socialist Bückeberg local culture community. The ceremonial opening took place on June 23, 1939 with the premiere of the play “Der Spielmann von Hameln” by Helmut Vogt. But with the outbreak of the Second World War, life on stage came to a standstill. Today only remains remain, such as the foundations of lanterns and the staircase to the grotto, which is a reminder of the eventful history of this place. These details are reported by dewezet.de.

The stage, which had 1,200 seats at the time, was at times a popular meeting place for cultural events, but after the war it fell into a deep sleep. Repeated attempts at resuscitation failed, and nature quickly reclaimed the area. The idea of ​​creating a new stage arose in 2009, but council policy rejected this plan in 2012. In 2019, however, the “Association for Border Relations and Homeland Preservation from 1930” took the initiative for a new building.

A new chapter

The plans for the new open-air stage in the Klütwald next to the “Monopoly” are already well advanced. This is scheduled to be ceremoniously inaugurated in 2024. The location has proven to be ideal as it combines the charming historical charm of the former site with new cultural opportunities. The planners also have a good hand when it comes to the historical surroundings, where surrounding trees serve as a natural backdrop.

But it's not just the stage itself that will be important, the entire surrounding area also needs to be upgraded. The Klütwald is considered a popular recreational area and already has many leisure activities to offer: a climbing forest, a children's playground, a youth hostel and the Finkenborn restaurant. Nevertheless, the hotel and restaurant next to the Klütturm (Fort George) have been empty for several years. One proposal would be to build the new stage in this area, with the historic archway serving as an entrance area. The city of Hameln is open to the project, but it is crucial to activate sponsors and funds. The city's financial situation is tense, and the theater director Wolfgang Heandeler is interested in implementing it, but needs support from all sides.

A step into the future

Ute Fehn, the managing director of the regional association, sees the new forest stage as an opportunity for the cultural and tourist development of the Klüt. The previous successes with event offerings, such as the Spotlight Musicals in the Hameln Theater, demonstrate the high interest in more cultural activities in the Pied Piper City. In order to make the project successful, a sophisticated overall concept is required, which also includes the Klütturm and its restoration. A conversation with Hamelner Marketing- und Tourismus GmbH is still pending, but it remains to be seen how the ideas can be made more concrete.

The return of an open-air stage in the Klütwald could not only bring cultural benefits to the region, but also boost tourism. The increase in visitors to the Pied Piper City shows that the interest is there - now it's important to take the right steps to bring the new plans to life. More information about the open-air stage can be found at buehnenlichter.de.