Daniel Ris scandal: director of the Neue Bühne under pressure!

Daniel Ris scandal: director of the Neue Bühne under pressure!

In Senftenberg, a town in Brandenburg, the latest decision involving the director of the Neue Bühne, Daniel Ris, is causing a stir. After three years in office, Ris did not receive a contract extension beyond 2027. This announcement came unexpectedly on March 7, just six months before the official termination date, and raises questions about possible political reasons. Those responsible for the city and the district, who jointly finance the theater, remain silent and do not announce any official reasons for the decision. This supports speculation about political motives, as Ris has publicly campaigned against right-wing extremism and has spoken at various LGBTQ+ events and political demos, as taz.de also reports.

Ris has successfully managed the Neue Bühne Senftenberg since 2022 and recorded 65,000 visitors in the last season - a number that leaves no doubt about his artistic qualifications. The theater receives financial support of 1.9 million euros from the city and district and an additional 3.8 million euros from the state of Brandenburg. Despite this solid basis, the question remains whether political considerations, particularly given the AfD's growing influence in the region, played a role in its non-renewal.

Political dimensions and fears

The AfD has a vote share of around 30 percent in elections in the region and the decision over Eris's whereabouts raises concerns that go beyond personal motives. Brandenburg's Culture Minister Manja Schüle (SPD) expressed regret about the decision and at the same time praised Ris' commitment to the art scene. District Administrator Siegurd Heinze and Mayor Andreas Pfeiffer (CDU) are trying to stay out of the firing line by emphasizing that there are no private motives for the decision. However, these statements are not enough to allay the overarching fears of political influence on culture.

The group of directors of the German Stage Association has also taken exception to the situation and is calling for clarifying discussions that could potentially be harmful to the region's cultural landscape. The chief dramaturge Karoline Felsmann has already announced a new position, which suggests that the theater could be facing restructuring.

General developments in the cultural sector

The current situation surrounding the Neue Bühne cannot be viewed in isolation. A culture war is underway across the country, with right-wing forces attempting to expand influence over cultural institutions. These efforts are characterized, among other things, by the AfD faction's demand in Saxony-Anhalt for classical German theater literature, which they see as a means of promoting love for their homeland. According to deutschlandfunk.de, Bianka Klose from the Mobile Advice Against Right-Wing Extremism Berlin recently explained that the right is not interested in new culturally critical approaches, but rather in preventing the creation of freedom in art.

Cultural institutions are therefore required to represent their positions proactively. It is important to take a stand and actively defend yourself against such influences. The entire event in Senftenberg could therefore be seen as part of a larger trend in Germany that is moving cultural practice into the focus of political disputes.