Munich (dpa / lby) – The Munich Gasteig is to be culturally revived until its renovation. A contract for the temporary use of the building was signed and sealed, said Gasteig Munich GmbH, a subsidiary of the city, on Friday afternoon. “It took a while to reconcile all interests. But now we have the basis for an interim use that Munich may not have seen before,” said Gasteig Managing Director Max Wagner, who negotiated the contract on behalf of the city would have.
The contract was initially signed until 2023 with four well-known Munich cultural event organizers who have joined the non-profit organization “Fat Cat” (“Fat Cat”). They are to rent the premises to other cultural workers. The focus should be on the independent scene and include diversity, cultural education and social initiatives, as well as an offer with free or inexpensive cultural uses, including studios and rehearsal rooms for musicians.
“It would have been unforgivable to leave the building empty, after all, there is a great need for space for creative and social use,” said Katrin Haben Schaden, Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Gasteig Supervisory Board. This is a special opportunity for Munich’s independent scene to show itself in an unusual environment. “Subculture meets the Gasteig – it promises to be exciting.” Cultural advisor Anton Biebl also referred to the large space requirements for art, culture and creative industries.
The Gasteig is also home to the Munich Philharmonic, whose new chief conductor Lahav Shani was introduced on Wednesday. The orchestra currently performs mainly in the Isarphilharmonie venue.
The city council only stopped the award procedure for the renovation on Wednesday. There was only one applicant who did not meet the requirements for participation, it said. It is unclear how the renovation of the building will continue.
