Magdeburg's citizens tell us: insights from 60 interview stories!

Magdeburg's citizens tell us: insights from 60 interview stories!

On June 12, 2025, the Magdeburg Theater will celebrate the premiere of the project “This, that, Pineapple”. This performance is the result of a unique cooperation between the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg and the Schauspielhaus Magdeburg, in which over 60 citizen interviews were incorporated into the texts. These interviews were carried out by nine students of the master's degree programs in media German studies and teaching.

The surveys took place at various locations in Magdeburg, including cafés and bus stops. The aim was to shed light on citizens' opinions and perspectives on important topics such as migration, energy transition and gender, far away from usual media reporting. Personal stories and memories of the citizens of Magdeburg emerged from the 535 pages of transcripts.

Artistic implementation and direction

The texts were assembled under the guidance of Katrin Enders, the dramaturge at the Magdeburg Theater. Project leader Prof. Dr. Kersten Sven Roth, holder of the chair for German linguistics at the University of Magdeburg, is also planning a scientific evaluation of the material. The Schauspielhaus ensemble will present the assembled texts in the Schauspielhaus casino.

The event will also include a discussion session with the students. This enables a direct exchange between the audience and those involved, which underlines the connection between university teaching, art and urban society. The event will take place in the Schauspielhaus Magdeburg at Otto-von-Guericke-Straße 64 at 7:30 p.m.

Biographical legacy

This connection between art and city history is also reflected in other cultural initiatives such as Magdeburg Biographical Lexicon reflected. This extensive reference work contains 1,766 biographies of important people from the region who died between 1800 and 2001. It covers various subject areas, including politics, art and science, and is considered the standard work for regional biographies.

The lexicon was published in 2002 and was last updated online in April 2007. The foreword by Reinhard Höppner, the then Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, is highlighted, which underlines the importance of the work.

Cultural offerings in Magdeburg

Magdeburg offers a wide range of cultural events and is known for historical art connections, such as the achievements of Georg Philipp Telemann, who is considered the city's cultural ambassador. The city is also the place of work of Richard Wagner and offers numerous opportunities to experience the art scene through theater, cabaret, exhibitions and open-air concerts.

For those interested in art, Magdeburg is a major attraction thanks to its interesting exhibitions and galleries. These cultural initiatives help keep the city's heritage alive and promote a modern community.