From peace centre to socioculture
The association “Alter Gasometer – Soziokulturelles Zentrum e.V.” is the result of a development story that began in autumn 1989. In 1990, activists founded a peace centre at Innere Plauensche Straße 16 in Zwickau. In addition to this centre, a world shop, a mothers’ group, initiatives with cultural and ecological offers as well as migration and children’s work enriched the centre. In 1992, the diversity of the active groups bundled their interests and resources when the association “Bildungs- und Begegnungsstätte Buntes Zentrum e.V.” was founded.
In the same year, the property was transferred back to the previous owner. Walther-Rathenau-Str. 12 became the association’s new home for 7 years. Children, youth and culture were given greater weight in terms of space and content. A band rehearsal room and the services offered by the Mobile Disability Centre expanded the range of the facility. It was a temporary solution, as this property was also about to be transferred to the owner.
In 1994, the city of Zwickau and various municipal associations began to develop concepts for the preservation of the Old Gasometer monument, combined with its future use as a socio-cultural centre. On 29 October 1998, the Zwickau city council decided to extend the building. After 15 months of construction, the building was handed over to the operator “Alter Gasometer – Soziokulturelles Zentrum e.V.” on 23 August 2000. By way of a merger, the association became the legal successor to all activities previously known as the “Colourful Centre”.
Building history
The gasometer as we see it today did not yet exist at that time.
As Gasometer C, it was the third and largest gasometer on the gasworks site. Construction began in 1874 and it was completed and commissioned in 1875 with a capacity of 3000 m³. It was built according to the bell principle, i.e. a bell open at the bottom was guided in the masonry circular building, which was extended to the top when full. There was a 75 cm wide space between the wall and the gas bell, which was filled with water (and alcohol in the winter months). The gas was produced from hard coal and coke, tar and ammonia water were marketed as by-products.
Gas was produced at this site in Zwickau until 9 November 1900. After it was shut down, the gasometer was only used for storage.
Since 1994, the city of Zwickau, the architects Andreas Kottusch and Michael Lotzmann and local associations have been developing concepts for the preservation of this architectural monument and its future use as a community centre and socio-cultural centre. On 29 October 1998, the Zwickau city council decided to extend the building.
After 15 months of construction, the building was handed over to the operator “Alter Gasometer e.V. – Soziokulturelles Zentrum” on 23 August 2000.
The refurbishment and fitting out of the building was made possible by funds from the European Structural Funds (URBAN) and from the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Saxony and the City of Zwickau as part of the Urban Monument Protection funding programme.
1989
Towards the middle of the year, Monika Dressel and a number of activists from the conciliar process groups came up with the idea of founding a peace centre in Zwickau.
On the fringes of a Monday demonstration in November, the first premises at Innere Plauensche Str. 16 were wrested from the city leadership at the time. The first work assignments followed.
1990
The association Friedenszentrum Zwickau e.V.
was founded.
On 1 September, a day of action marked the start of activities in public and in the already partially renovated building. A segment of the Berlin Wall is erected in front of the Peace Centre as a gift from Mr Eppelmann, the former GDR Minister of Disarmament.
The building filled up with a library, world shop and mothers’ group. Associations and initiatives with cultural, educational and ecological programmes as well as migration and children’s work expanded the spectrum
1992
The groups, with their diverse content and resources, pooled their interests by founding the association Educational and meeting centre Buntes Zentrum e.V.
Due to the reassignment of the property to the previous owner, a move was unavoidable. This first existential struggle ended with the provision of the property at Walther-Rathenau-Str. 12, where the move took place in autumn.
This spatial home was also only temporary, as a reassignment was imminent here too. Nevertheless, many areas of the building were gradually renovated and made usable.
1993
The “Hinterhaus” is opened. A café is created as a multifunctional area for youth, culture, meetings, parties, discussions, for people with and without disabilities, for locals and migrants and much more.
A separate open children’s area is set up and opened.
1994
The work of the music workshop begins with a rehearsal room in the basement. The first band competition follows.
The AG Gasometer is founded in December. The city of Zwickau, architects and associations start planning the “Alter Gasometer / Kleine Biergasse 3” project with the aim of securing a permanent space for socioculture in Zwickau.
1995/96
The Bunte Zentrum institution and its associations and initiative groups work continuously and in a wide variety of forms in the fields of culture, children and youth work, ecology, migration, peace and justice. The intensity varies greatly and is determined in each case by the resources available.
At the same time, the “Alter Gasometer / Kleine Biergasse 3” project is being pursued to the best of our ability, but funding has not yet been secured.
1997/98
The realisation of future prospects is becoming more tangible. Funding from the European Union’s URBAN programme is available for the Nordvorstadt area close to the city centre. The “Alter Gasometer / Kleine Biergasse 3” area is also part of the programme.
Once the necessary council resolutions have been passed, the refurbishment will begin.
The association Alter Gasometer – soziokulturelles Zentrum e.V. is founded in 1997. Its aim is to prepare the structure of the centre, which will continue to grow in the future, to integrate other partners and thus to establish a secure basis for the future operation of the property.
1999
The first construction phase will be handed over in March. The building at Kleine Biergasse 3 is extensively renovated and offers clubs, initiatives and projects in particular good opportunities for their programmes.
Construction work on the second construction phase begins at the same time. The Old Gasometer is completely refurbished and connected to Kleine Biergasse with an intermediate building.
2000
The work was completed in August and nothing stands in the way of the opening of the Alter Gasometer. An important centrepiece – the large hall for events of all kinds – was completed with funds from the federal, state and local authorities. The official opening of the entire complex took place on Wednesday, 23 August 2000.
From 1 to 3 September, we worked with the city of Zwickau and Radio Zwickau, among others, to design the youth area around the Old Gasometer for the Day of the Saxons.
2002
Once the premises had been successfully secured, the centre was structurally simplified. The Alter Gasometer – soziokulturelles Zentrum e.V. association took over all the activities previously known under the name and association Buntes Zentrum and practically became the legal successor and from now on is the sponsor of the entire property.
First joint organisation of the FAB’s “Young Lion” band competitions and the Gasometer’s music workshop.
2003
First newcomer night on Zwickau’s main market square as a gasometer warm-up for the Zwickau city festival.
2005
The association has to discontinue its open children’s work for financial reasons.
The Old Gasometer takes part in the 1st Zwickau Art and Culture Mile
2007
The Alter Gasometer association is co-organising and co-hosting the 1st Zwickau Culture Night in July.
The BarTerre opens in November and complements the association’s catering offer.
2008
In December, the coordination office of the “Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance in the Zwickau Region” opens its doors under the auspices of the Alter Gasometer association.
2009
The young band competitions organised by the Alter Gasometer and FAB Crimmitschau clubs are now in their 16th year with a new concept and have been renamed the Zwickau Music Forum.
In spring, the association begins preparations for the celebratory week “10 years of the Alter Gasometer and 20 years of socio-cultural work in Zwickau”.
2010
The new children’s culture series “Milestones” gets off to a successful start.
The association takes part in the Schumann Festival Week to mark the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann’s birth.
2011
The new Socioculture/Education department starts work in July.
The association donates a segment of the Berlin Wall to the city of Zwickau – the Zwickau Freedom and Unity Monument is presented to the public on 3 October in front of the Old Gasometer.
2012
Under the motto “Everyone is equal – everyone is different”, the children’s inclusion project “Rumpelwicht” starts with quiet and loud, colourful, crazy, relaxing and individual activities.
2014
“The dream of flying – Renaissance and everything new” – this was the theme of the fourth edition of our children’s circus holiday workshop week. The results were also performed at the “Festival of the Reformation” in Zwickau.
Voters’ forum for local and state elections
With the help of many partners, funding bodies and private donors, the Casablanca cinema can be digitised and thus once again show current arthouse films to the latest technical standard.
As part of the 10th Youth History Days in the Saxon State Parliament, we presented our exhibition “Football in Zwickau – past and present” to the public for the first time.
We organised a media education project for the 12th Newcomers’ Night. A film documentary was produced.
“Three years on – the victims of right-wing extremist terror at the hands of the so-called NSU” – panel discussion with, among others, Barbara John, the ombudswoman for the surviving dependants of the victims of neo-Nazi terror at the hands of the so-called NSU. Frankfurt lawyer Seda Basay-Yildiz shed light on the perspective of the joint plaintiffs.
2015
The official ground-breaking ceremony for our socio-cultural project “Historic Village” took place in April.
In July, our new “Coordination Office of the Zwickau Partnership for Democracy” takes up its work.
To mark “25 Years of German Unity”, the Alter Gasometer e.V. association organises a citizens’ festival with a wide range of partners on 3 October in the Muldeparadies.
The media education project “25 Years | 25 People | 25 Stories” will be presented to the public for the first time on 3 October as part of the citizens’ festival with a panel discussion, an exhibition and the launch of the project website.
We once again supported municipal events such as FaN i.P, the Festival of Lights as part of the Schumann Festival, the Bathtub Fun Race on the Swan Pond, the historical crafts market on the first two weekends of Advent in the cathedral courtyard, the Zwikkifax children’s festival and the market bustle as in Schumann’s time.
2016
Construction of the open space in front of the Old Gasometer by the city of Zwickau offers many parking spaces and completely new event possibilities.
Work begins on the main building of the Historic Village of Zwickau.
Big Silverster party at the Old Gasometer: 4000 visitors to the “Night of Nights”.
2017
FREE PRESS ICE STOCK TROPHY ZWICKAU
For the first time, we are taking part in this Zwickau sporting event with our own team.AKTIVOLI VOLUNTEER FAIR
We support and participate in the first volunteer fair on the main market square in Zwickau.OUR VIEW OF THE DAYLIGHT
Together with many partners, we enable the thematic redesign of the pedestrian tunnel at the central bus stop.UPDATING THE MISSION STATEMENT
During a weekend retreat, the team revised the mission statement for the Alter Gasometer centre.CO-OPERATION WITH VOLKSWAGEN SAXONY
We co-operate with Volkswagen Saxony on educational programmes for their trainees.
2018
900 YEARS OF ZWICKAU
We are involved in the 900th anniversary year of Zwickau with various events of our own. We are also providing support in various areas.FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Our old gasometer shines as a giant cogwheel for a week.YOUTH DAYS
We are significantly involved in the planning and realisation of the DAYS OF YOUTH on the open space at the Old Gasometer and the associated international youth meeting in the summer.INAUGURATION OF THE HISTORIC VILLAGE
In autumn, as part of our HERBSTBAUMELN festival, we are able to fully open the Historical Village after around five years of development. The Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, also pays a visit.POLITICAL LOCATION IN SAXONY
We win the “Political Places in Saxony” prize awarded by the State Centre for Political Education.NEW CORPORATE DESIGN
The association finalises its process of developing a new corporate design.
2019
NEW LOGO, NEW DESIGN, OLD GASOMETER!
We are starting 2019 with a new look, but will remain the Old Gasometer as you know it. After almost 20 years, we have decided to give the design a makeover. With the involvement of all employees, we have created something modern and authentic.ELECTION YEAR 2019
For the youth council elections, local elections, European elections and state elections, we put on a varied information programme with election forums, talks and dialogues.CIRCUS CAMP “MOMENTS IN TIME” AT THE HISTORIC VILLAGE
Together with many partners, we organise the first 10-day circus camp in our historic village.30 YEARS OF PEACEFUL REVOLUTION – 30 YEARS OF GERMAN UNIFICATION
To mark 30 years of the Peaceful Revolution and 30 years of German reunification, we are working with partners to organise an extensive series of events in Zwickau and the surrounding area from October 2019 to October 2020.STREETWORK TEAM
From September 2019, we started our work in the four towns of Crimmitschau, Kirchberg, Mülsen and Wilkau-Haßlau with our streetwork team.MUNICIPAL COMMEMORATION OF THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTION OF 1989
On 16 October, we organised the second communal day of remembrance of the first Zwickau Peace Prayer on 16 October 1989 in Zwickau Cathedral.PUPPET THEATRE FESTIVAL
We support the first puppet theatre festival in Zwickau and are also the venue.COMMEMORATION: 30 YEARS OF THE FALL OF THE WALL
To mark the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, we brought citizens together for a commemorative event at the Freedom and Unity Monument on 9 November.
2020
NEW HOMEPAGE “WE.TOGETHER.”
We have launched a new homepage for the field of democracy work in the Zwickau region.FRIDAY, 13 MARCH: WE ARE SUSPENDING PUBLIC OPERATIONS!
Due to the Infection Protection Act in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the Alter Gasometer association is suspending all its public events – for the first time in its history – until 30 April.SUMMER PROGRAMME DESPITE THE DIFFICULT SITUATION
From the beginning of June, we will start again step by step with over 40 events with a “Corona _ Summer Programme” and we now even have a summer stage in the Gaso Garden!EMPTY STANDS – EMPTY STAGES – NIGHT of LIGHT
We take part in various formats to draw attention to the difficult situation for us as an association, club, organiser and our partners. EMPTY STAIRS and NIGHT of LIGHT are just two of these campaigns.ZWICKAU OPENS “PATH TO INDUSTRIAL CULTURE”
Zwickau now has a “Path to Industrial Culture”. This connects the city centre with the August Horch Museum and Audi building in the northern part of the city. – the venue of the Saxon State Exhibition of Industrial Culture BOOM. A total of 18 buildings and sites closely associated with the economic and industrial history of the automotive and Robert Schumann city were labelled with plaques and steles. The selected objects include buildings that stand for Zwickau’s industrial and economic history, such as our gasometer, which reopened as a socio-cultural centre 20 years ago in August 2000.WE OPEN THE YOUTH CLUB IN THE TOWN OF KIRCHBERG.
After having been even more present in the district of Zwickau with our street work team since 2019, we were also able to open the youth club in the town of Kirchberg at the start of the summer holidays.Anniversary year 2020
2020 is a very special year for our organisation, as we are celebrating several anniversaries.
The Alter Gasometer building was completed 145 years ago as a gas storage facility and is now one of Zwickau’s most important industrial monuments.
Twenty years ago, on 23 August 2000, after around 15 months of renovation, the Old Gasometer was reopened by the Alter Gasometer Association.
The Old Gasometer Association is the result of a development story that began in autumn 1989. The first public day of action took place 30 years ago, on 1 September 1990 in Innere Plausche Straße.
Detailed information on our anniversaries can be found on the following pages. Unfortunately, a large number of events planned for the anniversary year have been cancelled due to the coronavirus.Election forum for the OB election
The election forum organised by the Alter Gasometer association and the Freie Presse attracted around 250 guests and all five candidates running for the office of Lord Mayor in Zwickau to the Neue Welt Zwickau. In five rounds of questions, the candidates were able to express their views on various theses and then had to answer questions from the guests.Accompanying programme Year of Industrial Heritage and Saxon State Exhibition
The Year of Industrial Heritage and the Saxon State Exhibition were accompanied by a large number of events and projects in our departments. Unfortunately, some events were cancelled in late autumn due to the coronavirus.Commemorating 30 years of German unity
We commemorated 30 years of German unity at the Freedom and Unity Monument and installed a video presentation in Muldeparadies as a “replacement” for the cancelled 2nd Zwickau Citizens’ Festival.CULTURAL ROUND TABLE WITH SAXONY’S MINISTER OF CULTURE BARBARA KLEPSCH
The participants were able to present their views on the current coronavirus crisis from their respective perspectives. These were diverse, as they included independent organisations, volunteers, independent artists, small and large associations as well as municipal companies.ZWICKAU TICKER PRESENTED
The “Zwickau Ticker” is a 64-page scientific report by the Alter Gasometer Association for the city of Zwickau. The paper was compiled as part of the “Partnership for Democracy in the City of Zwickau” and analyses the situation and resources of the city of Zwickau with regard to existing elements of citizen participation, the social situation of specific population groups, such as migrants and children and young people, in the city and with a view to demographic change.LOCKDOWN
Since 1 November, the association has once again had to close all of its services due to corona. For the time being until 28 February. Help and counselling services and digital offerings will continue. This includes the “24 Doors” campaign.2021
Due to the tense coronavirus situation, the lockdown is being extended. The association is therefore focussing more on online offerings.
GASO PODCAST STARTS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Our first audio podcast starts with a contemporary witness interview with Dr Elke Preusser-Franke from the Jewish Women’s Association Dresden e.V. on the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of National Socialism on 27 January 2021.
GASO NEWSLETTER PROVIDES MORE INFORMATION
From now on, newsletter subscribers can receive regular digital information from us on culture, holiday programmes and democracy work.
More digital and streaming offers possible
A wide range of new event technology for digital formats has been acquired thanks to various federal subsidies. Whether streaming or hybrid – we can now offer concerts, panel discussions and similar events professionally.Important civil society campaign: “There are many ways to make Zwickau even more beautiful …”
Stakeholders from a wide range of areas came together and considered how to show their colours. The alliance overcame party-political and ideological boundaries and even parties that do not otherwise have much in common in terms of content recognised that a signal of solidarity was needed. They were joined by private individuals, associations, churches, organisations, commercial enterprises and the city of Zwickau itself, including Mayor Constance Arndt. In the end, there were almost 70 supporters and this was also reflected in the realisation. Posters and large banners were hung in many places throughout the city, clearly showing that Zwickau is not brown, but colourful.Professionalisation – the child protection concept
The topic of child protection is particularly topical at the moment. Lockdowns, social distancing and quarantine situations are leading to more problems, such as domestic violence and psychological stress. As a child and youth welfare organisation with a wide range of services, such as open meeting places and street work, we have now focused even more intensively on the topic and developed a child protection concept.
Expansion of youth culture programmes – the summer festival
Our youth area utilised the ambience of the summer stage in the summer. Live music, cheap drinks and good food from the Volxküche, play equipment and an open stage provided variety every Thursday in the garden and, in bad weather, in the hall.
Finally in Zwickau too – the Fete de la Musique
It should have taken place in June 2020: the first Fête de la Musique in Zwickau, but the pandemic put a spanner in the works. This year, the time had come – albeit initially only in a small version to arouse curiosity.
Pandemic-friendly culture?! – Part 1: Our summer stage in the Gaso Garden
Everything has changed since 2020: hygiene rules, social distancing, fewer seats at events and the recommendation to do more outdoors. But change can also be an opportunity. The Old Gasometer is seizing this opportunity. Culture is being moved to the garden without further ado. With around 80 seats and a specially installed stage, there is a varied summer programme in the open air. However, a reduced number of seats also offers completely different possibilities, with many regional artists and a children’s programme.
So you can enjoy the summer with your own cushion and blanket for cool evening hours in a cosy atmosphere in nature and enjoy great culture at the same time.Another award: “Built places of democracy and participation”
The Wüstenrot Foundation organised a nationwide competition to find examples of how participation opportunities and democratic values can be experienced by different population groups.
On Friday 25 June 2021, the foundation hosted the award ceremony in Berlin. The six award winners and representatives of the built places that had made it into the final selection of 455 entries met in beautiful Wedding. The Alte Gasometer e.V. is one of the 26 places immortalised in the competition’s illustrated book.Enabling participation – our first workshop discussion
Participation is essential for a non-profit organisation like the Altes Gasometer. And so we thought about how we could better involve the people around the organisation so that they could contribute their opinions and ideas. This led to the idea of setting up the workshop discussion. Members of the association, volunteers, employees and interested parties meet here in an informal setting to collect suggestions and opinions that could perhaps be turned into future projects or events.Pandemic-friendly culture?! – Part 2: Cultural summer at Planitz Castle
At the beginning of July, cultural players from Zwickau presented the Zwickau Summer of Culture at a press conference in Planitz Castle. This is exactly where the culture is to take place, but not in the hall of the Clara-Wieck-Gymnasium, but in the spacious inner courtyard of the baroque castle. We are also involved in the preparation and realisation of the cultural fair in the castle park in Planitz and will of course be on site with our team and small offers.All this preparation took place in the uncertain times of the third and fourth corona wave and the now hopeful developments for a beautiful cultural festival. Capricious weather and ticket sales that fell short of expectations caused the event to be cancelled at short notice. The organisers are planning a new edition.
Pandemic-friendly culture?! – Part 3: Summer joy
Zwickau will once again be unable to hold a major city festival in 2021, meaning that the 19th edition of the popular summer festival will have to be postponed. Instead, the SOMMERFREUDE ZWICKAU is planned as a small, fine city festival: A breath of summer-fresh cultural wind will blow through Zwickau and it should simply be fun for people to once again enjoy a wide range of culture live in the open air. For ten days – from 13 August to 22 August – Schlobigpark and the main market square will offer a change from everyday life dominated by Corona – in compliance with the currently applicable distance and hygiene regulations.
On three of the days, we will present three different event formats and cater to very different tastes. For example, there will be an open-air cinema evening, a radio play day with live radio plays and a silent radio play version at a later hour. The Gaso-Silent-Party with local DJs from the Zwickau clubs Kunstplantage/Mocc/Seilerstraße will prove that a summery party can also be celebrated quietly and in a neighbourhood-friendly way.Important walking memory: commemorating 60 years of the Berlin Wall
“Nobody has the intention of building a wall.” This historic sentence was spoken by GDR head of state Walter Ulbricht at a press conference on 15 June 1961. Two months later, the Berlin Wall stands. The border was sealed off, the people walled in. The Alter Gasometer e.V has commemorated this separation with several campaigns.Campaign worth supporting: Culture chooses democracy
The campaign of the Saxony Sociocultural Association called “KULTURwähltDEMOKRATIE” (“Culture chooses democracy”) sends out a signal in favour of democracy in Saxony and nationwide. The aim is to make democracy a positive experience and to strengthen culture as a partner for democracy. The Alte Gasometer e.V. is taking part in order to raise awareness of the importance of the topic once again before the elections.
“KULTURwähltDEMOKRATIE” means: utilise the power of art and culture! Set an example for democracy! Making democratic values tangible! Culture and democracy are always mutually dependent – in the quality of our coexistence and the constitution of our society. Culture is therefore a partner for democracy and enables political action and social dialogue.Diversity – the first Christopher Street Day
“That was a crazy day … 700 people … totally crazy” are the euphoric words of one of the organisers and they reflect well how the day went. It was the first Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Zwickau and so it was particularly exciting to see whether people would turn up to the rally. Especially since the whole thing is still a bit more difficult under corona conditions. But our expectations were exceeded by far!
2022
INCLUSION: WE ARE ON OUR WAY!
The Inclusion Service Centre in the cultural sector of the Saxony Sociocultural Association organised a kick-off workshop today in the Old Gasometer. Almost the entire team of the association was present and worked together on the topics of inclusion and accessibility.
As it is very important to the organisation to enable maximum participation, the association decided to accept the offer of so-called process support from the Inclusion Service Centre.SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE
In solidarity with Ukraine, the Ukrainian national colours will be projected onto the Old Gasometer on Friday evening. Since last night, Russian troops have been attacking the territory of Ukraine on the orders of President Putin. The Alter Gasometer Association also strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine.MANY PATHS FOR ZWICKAU – ZWICKAU CIVIL SOCIETY SETS AN EXAMPLE AGAINST NEO-NAZI MARCHES
On 11 April, the campaigns and activities surrounding 1 May, which the neo-Nazi cadre party “III. Weg” is once again attempting to appropriate for itself, were presented in the Old Gasometer in the presence of many participants.Village spring
On 7 May, a new festival to open the summer season took place for the first time in the historic village with the Dorffrühling.TRANSPARENT CIVIL SOCIETY INITIATIVE – WE ARE SIGNATORIES!
Transparency is important to us. That’s why we, like over 1,600 other organisations, have decided to join the Transparent Civil Society Initiative.First Funkloch Open Air
Our Kirchberg youth club organises its first open air event on the Kirchberg open-air stage.Zwickau shows its heart
On 2 December, around 1000 people gathered in the northern part of Zwickau’s cathedral courtyard to demonstrate against the speeches of the fascist Höcke. Together with the churches, several associations and parties, a devout protest was organised.VEREINSKLAUSUR WEITER.DENKEN.2030.
The team and parts of the board of the Alter Gasometer association met at Bethlehem Stift Hohenstein-Ernstthal for an association retreat. The 16-member group worked together to further develop the organisation’s concept around the turn of the year.
2023
GUEST APPEARANCE BY EASTERN GERMANY COMMISSIONER CARSTEN SCHNEIDER
Under the motto “WAS BEWEGT…?”, he visits various cities in eastern Germany to find out what drives the many volunteers to get involved during city walks and discussion evenings. In February, he was a guest at the Altes Gasometer.VIELE WEGE Festival has made Zwickau more beautiful
In April, there was plenty of cultural and political activity on the agenda in Zwickau city centre. More than 3,000 people took part in the first VIELE WEGE Festival in Zwickau city centre.REGIONAL BISHOP TOBIAS BILZ VISITS THE OLD GASOMETER
State Bishop Tobias Bilz visited us in May and took a look at the Old Gasometer. The state bishop is the leading clergyman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony.Youth makes music
Jugend musiziert is one of the most prestigious and largest competitions for young musicians in Europe. In June, the competition was held in Zwickau for the first time and the Old Gasometer was one of the venues.ZWICKAU CIVIL SOCIETY IN DIALOGUE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Initiated by the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) – the most important Catholic lay organisation – Archbishop Stefan Heße and ZdK President Irme Stetter-Karp came to the garden of the Old Gasometer.Socio-cultural “PROJECT 46” WINS 3rd PLACE AT THE FERRY-PORSCHE-FOUNDATION
At the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, the Ferry Porsche Foundation honoured particularly creative and innovative projects that strengthen cohesion, social and cultural participation and counteract exclusion. There were over 300 projects to choose from – Zwickau’s “Project 46” in collaboration with the Alter Gasometer e.V. won 3rd place and €25,000 in prize money.First open-air cinema on the Kirchberg open-air stage
The association and youth club organise open-air cinema events on the Kirchberg open-air stage for the first time.Extensive maintenance and repairs
Many construction measures were carried out to beautify and improve the theatre in late summer.Regular visits from federal and state politicians
Federal and state politicians from almost all parties represented in parliament regularly visit our organisation to find out about our work.Association wins Saxon democracy prize
The Alter Gasometer association has been honoured with the Saxon Democracy Award 2023. The main prize is endowed with 5,000 euros.Association presents results of the first Zwickau citizen survey
What makes people in Zwickau tick – Zwickau Ticker 2022 presented.We are tourism heroes
At the tourism and caravan trade fair in Leipzig, tourism professionals who are particularly committed were honoured. Our work was honoured in the culture and leisure industry category.Federal Agency for Civic Education honours outstanding commitment
The Federal Agency for Civic Education honoured Project 46 in cooperation with the Alter Gasometer e.V. out of 300 applications, this time with the prestigious “Active for Democracy and Tolerance” award. This award recognises civil society projects throughout Germany that are exemplary in their commitment to democracy and tolerance.2024
Zwickau shows its heart with 4,000 people on the main market square
Around 4,000 people came together today to make a clear statement in favour of WORLD OCCUPATION, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN DIGNITY.Business brunch in the old gasometer
Around 250 guests from the worlds of business, administration, sport and politics experienced the “Business Brunch” at the “Alter Gasometer”, a suitable “filming location” for exciting success stories. On the podium: Michael Kretschmer – Minister President of Saxony, Doreen Paesold-Runge – Managing Director of WP Holding, Jörg Bechmann – Branch Manager of Goldbeck Treuen, Rico Schmitt – Coach of FSV Zwickau, Wolfang Lippert – Presenter & Singer and Matthias Krauß – Managing Director of Krauß Event GmbH as well as presenter André Hardt.Project start “Denkmal. Death March Mülsen Eibenstocj 1945”
On 15.04.2024 the project “DenkMal! Death March Mülsen-Eibenstock 1945” and thus also the LEADER cooperation between the Zwickauer Land and Westerzgebirge regions was launched with a kick-off event in Mülsen St. Micheln.The Old Gasometer 360°
Would you like to get an idea of our event venues in advance? We cordially invite you to experience our virtual 360-degree walk.Awareness workshop for cultural institutions in Zwickau
We offered an all-day workshop for Zwickau cultural institutions, cultural actors and interested associations to provide information, training and tools on these topics.Summer tour of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
We took part in a two-day summer tour organised by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth under the motto “Engagiert dabei”. The aim was to meet committed people on site and to focus attention on those who ensure cohesion in society and strengthen democracy and participation.2025
Capital of Culture Year – We are part of it
Our association is also highly committed to helping to organise this unique event. You can look forward to exclusive insights and updates on our exciting projects, which we will be publishing on our website for you to discover from the end of 2024.