Waldbühne Berlin: From Nazi architecture to the summer concert site

Waldbühne Berlin: From Nazi architecture to the summer concert site

The Waldbühne in Berlin is a popular place for music lovers and summer friends. Every year she attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoy concerts in the beautiful surroundings of the Schanzenwald. But behind this festive atmosphere there is a dark past that is known only a few.

The massive architecture of the Waldbühne already suggests that a story of far -reaching influence is told here. Built in the 1930s, it reflects the zeitgeist of an era that was characterized by propaganda and a deep ideological background. Originally commissioned by Joseph Goebbels, the open -air stage of the National Socialist movement should serve as a platform.

construction site for the propaganda

Shortly after the political seizure of the National Socialists, the plan for the Waldbühne was made. Adolf Hitler even called for the draft of a stage that was supposed to offer space for 100,000 spectators, but this remained an unfulfilled vision. Instead, the forest stage now holds around 22,000 people. The actual building took place as part of the preparations for the 1936 Olympic Games, where the stage played a central role.

The architect Werner March took responsibility for the project, which was designed as part of the construction for the Olympics. The style was based on the classic architecture of Greek theater, whereby the stage should also be used as a thing. These events were part of the National Socialist ideology to propagate the idea of the “popular community” and to exclude different currents. The stage was initially opened as the "Dietrich-Eckart stage", named after an anti-Semitic writer and supporter of the NSDAP.

During the Olympic Games in 1936, not only the gymnastics fights took place in the Waldbühne, but also the well -respected Thingspiel "Frankenburger Dukfiel game", which was written by the Völkische Poet Eberhard Wolfgang Möller. The aim of such performances was to strengthen the National Socialist ideology and to convey a feeling of unity and size to the spectators.

from coping with the past to concert culture

After the Second World War, the Waldbühne achieved a remarkable transformation. The initial years were shaped by the use as an open -air cinema. The Berlinale, a renowned film festival, also used the stage.

later, in the 1960s, the Waldbühne came into the focus of rock and pop culture. A memorable concert by the Rolling Stones in 1965 was accompanied by tumultuous scenes when fans tried to reduce the benches at a quick pace. These unrestal incidents led the stage to be used for seven years, which was equivalent to a long recovery phase for the historical location.

In the 1980s, the Waldbühne finally received its conspicuous tent roof. This made it not only a concert site, but also part of the cultural identity of Berlin, without the confused history of often attention. Numerous well -known artists appear here every year, while the shadows of the past probably stay in the background.

The combination of high musicality and an extraordinary venue attracts more and more people who want to spend the perfect summer evening. Nevertheless, the question remains whether the importance of the historical background should be ignored or whether one should deal with the history of the forest stage.

architecture and design of the Waldbühne

The Waldbühne in Berlin is a fascinating example of the combination of nature and architecture. The construction of regional rock gives the stage a rustic but also impressive appearance. The architect Werner March designed the stage so that it is harmoniously integrated into the surrounding forest landscape. The elliptical design and the steep rows of seats ensure that visitors also have a good view of the stage in the back rows.

The characteristic stone formations and the tent roof were not only designed as functional elements, but also as an expression of the National Socialist aesthetics, which wanted to establish a connection between the German people and its "Germanic" culture. Despite its dark story, the stage has played a significant cultural role today and is a popular place for many Berliners and tourists to enjoy music.

events and artists

In the past few decades, the Waldbühne has developed into one of the most important concert cakes in Berlin. Well-known artists from various genres occur here, from rock and pop bands to classic orchestras. The atmosphere of the Waldbühne, surrounded by trees and nature, offers a unique experience for the audience.

One of the most famous appearances was that of David Bowie in 1987, which was part of his "Glass Spider" tour and which is a legendary night for stuck concert goers. Artists such as Rammstein, the Toten Hosen and Andrea Bocelli also used the stage to present their music to a wide audience. Every year tens of thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the Waldbühne to experience the concerts and enjoy the summer in Berlin.

The influence of the Waldbühne on the Berlin culture

The Waldbühne not only played an important role in the music scene in Berlin, but also a significant influence on the culture of the city as a whole. It is a symbol of the revival of Berlin culture according to the fall of the wall and has established itself as a meeting point for people from different social and cultural backgrounds.

In cooperation with various festivals and cultural events, such as the popular "Classic Open Air", the Waldbühne helps to present a wide range of music and art. In a city that is known for its creative and alternative scene, the Waldbühne has a special position as a place of encounter and cultural exchange.