Künstlerhaus Bethanien

When plans were made to demolish the abandoned hospital in 1974, a passionate protest by political and cultural activists halted the decision. The public outcry led to a turning point: the building would be preserved. Thanks to the initiative of Dr. Michael Haerdter, the founder of Künstlerhaus Bethanien, a new vision was born — one that reimagined the space as a creative institution far beyond its original purpose. Under his leadership, the Künstlerhaus developed into an internationally acclaimed venue for avant-garde art and a dynamic meeting place for artists from all disciplines.

From dance and theater to music, visual arts, and architecture, Künstlerhaus Bethanien was an early hub for experimental artistic practices. The International Directing Seminars for Film and Theater, held until 2001, made a major contribution to cross-cultural exchange.