Exchange between Theatres of Twin Cities

The bond between Kiel and its twin city of Kaliningrad has taken on a new artistic dimension. Kiel's theatre company, Die Komödianten, has assumed the role of cultural ambassador for the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, within the framework of a cultural exchange agreed between the theatres from Kiel and Kaliningrad, with support of a financial and conceptual nature provided by Kiel's press office for foreign relations.

In April 2001, Die Komödianten travelled to Russia to perform their successful productions at the Kaliningrad German National Theatre and, in September, the Kaliningrad theatre paid a return visit to Kiel. Further theatrical exchanges of this kind are planned involving a number of Kiel's other twin cities.

For many years now, direct contacts between local residents have breathed life into the bond established between Kiel and the eight cities with which it is twinned. Appearances by artists from Kiel in the partner cities are as much a part of this as exhibitions held in Kiel, featuring the work of artists from partner cities. The cultural exchange involving two private theatres represents a new departure from the norm, with the Kiel and Kaliningrad theatres extending existing links between the two cities to theatrical venues.

The German National Theatre in Kaliningrad was founded in 1995. As the successor to Russia's now defunct German Theatre, it is now the only German National Theatre in existence. The private theatre receives sponsorship from Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as from the German Ministry of the Interior and others agencies. Its repertoire consists mainly of works by Russian-German dramatists, with works translated simultaneously into Russian. The German Embassy sponsors touring productions staged by the Theatre Company within the Russian Federation. The theatre has also made guest appearances in Poland and Lithuania. During its visit to Kiel from 19 to 23 September, the company performed its productions of "Liebe & Rock 'n' Roll" and "Mei' Wolgaland, mei' Heimatland".

The Die Komödianten Company was founded in 1984 as Schleswig-Holstein's first studio theatre to perform plays and cabaret. Every summer the Company stages a production of the well-known dramatic work "The Little Prince" in the courtyard of Kiel town hall. Die Komödianten have attracted considerable attention with happenings like the Theatre for Dogs and the Human Zoo. The Company has also made overseas guest appearances in Norway, Sweden, USAand Great Britain as well as in the Russian city of Kaliningrad.