Opening Space for Culture for more than 20 years
From the Kulturbüro SOPHIEN to the Kultur Büro Elisabeth:
2023: 20 years of KULTUR BÜRO ELISABETH – 20 years of KULTUR RAUM GEBEN
Much has grown over these two decades: the cultural programme, the range and number of events, the infrastructure and facilities of our buildings, our services and, of course, our team, which looks forward to the future with excitement.
2022 Opening of LISBETH
In September 2022, Kultur Büro Elisabeth opened another cultural meeting place, Café LISBETH, in the former administration building of the SOPHIEN II cemetery. The exhibition and event programme, curated by Alexis Hyman Wolff in consultation with Kultur Büro Elisabeth, approaches topics such as death, grief and loss from an artistic perspective, making them visible and inviting discussion. In May 2024, Chiara De Martin Topranin took over the café as a catering partner.
2021 Test4Culture during the pandemic
During the pandemic, the Kultur Büro Elisabet is setting up its own test centre, Test4Culture, in order to make a meaningful contribution to the fight against the pandemic and to resume performances quickly and as safely as possible for audiences and performers. The income will be used to compensate for unexpected rent losses that threaten the organisation's existence.
2018 15th anniversary of Kultur Büro Elisabeth
In November 2018, Kultur Büro Elisabeth celebrated a big party at Villa Elisabeth with many companions. On this occasion, we compiled a film from video recordings of several projects that reflect the many facets of our programme. (Available on our Vimeo page)
2016 End of cultural use of St. Johannes-Evangelist-Kirche
At the end of 2016, the Protestant parish of Weinberg (formerly Sophiengemeinde) handed over the building to a Syrian Orthodox community (Rum Orthodox Church of Antioch), which now operates the church as St. Georgius.
2015 Non-profit status
In January 2015, the work of Kultur Büro Elisabeth GmbH is recognised as non-profit (conversion from a GmbH to a gGmbH).
2014 Renaming and relaunch
In September 2014 – after an eight-month closure of Villa Elisabeth for renovation – the SOPHIEN Cultural Office started the 2014/15 season with a new look and a new name: Kultur Büro Elisabeth.
2013 Anniversary: 10 years of Kulturbüro SOPHIEN
With an extensive cultural programme and a festive cultural service, Kulturbüro SOPHIEN celebrates its tenth birthday with friends, colleagues and companions in perfect summer weather.
2007 Conclusion of a general lease agreement
A general lease agreement is concluded between the parish and the limited liability company for the (almost) exclusive use of Villa Elisabeth, St. Elisabeth and St. Johannes-Evangelist Church by Kultur Büro Elisabeth until 2027. An additional agreement also allows Kulturbüro to carry out cultural projects and rent out the three parish locations Golgatha, Sophien and Zionskirche.
2004 Founding of the limited liability company
In order to create stable legal and tax conditions, a limited liability company is founded. The municipality retains sovereignty over the buildings as 100% shareholder and owner, but is relieved of the running costs and obligations as well as the extensive work involved in public use.
2003 Founding of the Kulturbüro SOPHIEN
The culturally engaged Sophien parish founded the Kulturbüro SOPHIEN with the aim of opening up three parish-owned buildings – Villa Elisabeth, St. Elisabeth Church and St. Johannes Evangelist Church – which were no longer being used sufficiently by the parish, to the wider community with a high-quality cultural programme and, in addition, to secure the financial preservation of the buildings through commercial rentals.
Information on the milestones in the renovation of the listed buildings and the development of the site can be found here.