Minister Klepsch optimistic: Culture on the upswing

Saxony's culture is on the upswing in the first year after the Corona pandemic. "In some areas, we are already approaching 2019 again," Culture Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) told the German Press Agency. The first half of the year and especially the figures for July 2023 clearly showed an upward trend. For example, she said, the Semperoper Dresden had an audience occupancy rate of 88 percent in the first half of the year, compared with 93 percent in 2019. "That makes us optimistic and shows that culture is being accepted again." And the Leipzig Bach Festival had more than 70,000 visitors than in previous years, from 56 countries - "a new international record and a good sign for tourism, too."

But it's not a no-brainer, Klepsch said. "It takes a constant effort to attract audiences, with institutions also having to adapt to changing visitor behavior." Bookings are being made at very short notice, she said, and subscriptions are fewer. "Some cultural institutions are also struggling because of this." There, a lack of skilled workers and increased costs also played a role.

"People are going back to theaters and museums," the minister reported. "The need and demand have perhaps also grown due to the abstinence of culture in the time of the pandemic, that applies to all sectors." However, there was still a lack of foreign visitors from China and Russia." They used to make up a large part of the guests, especially in some museums of the Dresden State Art Collections. But also in tourism the trend shows upwards.

"We must not talk up anything, but also nothing bad," warned Klepsch. The support from the state and federal government in the two Corona years for culture had contributed to the fact that many institutions and artists survived this crisis. Until mid-September, almost 241.7 million euros flowed through various subsidies, according to ministry data.

"But solo self-employed people in other industries have also migrated, especially employees in the technical field." For these occupations must be recruited and these made attractive, he said. "After all, it's no use having the best singer if the curtain doesn't rise and the stage remains empty."

Klepsch pleaded for the future to rely more on personal responsibility, for example, by allowing people to continue wearing masks in the theater if they wanted to. "Everyone should bear a piece of personal responsibility for themselves and thus, of course, for society and culture."

In view of a "good double budget for the cultural sector," the minister is optimistic. And the federal government is also cushioning some hardships via an energy fund. "From Saxony, more than 400 applications have been made here, precisely to compensate for the cost increases due to the effects of the Ukraine war."

However, the problem of skilled workers does not stop at culture. "There are no reliable figures there, except for the music school sector." There, about 40 percent of music school teachers will retire in the next ten years. "Here we have to act in a targeted manner, advertise the profession and find concepts with the music colleges." With the promotion of cultural education, focal points should also be set "so that younger generations are also enthusiastic about culture and find access to artistic work."

With regard to the current challenges, Klepsch warned to apply the red pencil to culture. "Because the pandemic in particular has made it clear how much we need culture, for social interaction, for the quality of life locally as well as for tourism," she said. "Culture is our calling card and an important location factor. I therefore warn every municipality not to save there first."