DSVB in 5 words: One theatre, but three languages
Around 1000 events, 25 premiers (before Corona), a great acting and puppeteering repertoire and a lot of theatre is what audiences can expect from the German-Sorbian Volks-Theatre (People’s Theatre) in one season.
More than 150.000 visitors per year won’t miss out as the theatre in Bautzen has something to offer everyone. The theatre in Bautzen is the only professional theatre in Germany where three languages are spoken on stage, not only German but also Upper and Lower Sorbian. And by the way: the Sorbian plays are simultaneously translated into German via headphones.
Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to experience theatre in two different locations. The Bautzener Burgtheater/Dźiwadło na hrodźe (castle theatre), a newly-built theatre in the courtyard of the Ortenburg was opened in 2003. This theatre is home to small plays as well as the puppet theatre and the Sorbian children’s and youth theatre.
The big houseof the theatre was opened after restoration in 2006 and offers a wide repertoire on the main stage for around 400 visitors.
A variety of Sorbian plays as well as the puppet theatre also travels the entire cultural region of Upper Lusatia and Lower Silesia.
Today, the DSVTh has more than 120 employees, 22 actors, including 10 Sorbian and 6 puppeteers.
The Sorbian People’s Theatre was founded and professionalised as the first cultural institution of the Sorbs in 1948, and in 1963 the Bautzen Municipal Theatre and the Sorbian People’s Theatre merged to form the German-Sorbian People’s Theatre Bautzen.
The annual conclusion and at the same time the climax of every theatre season is the “Bautzener Theatersommer” (Theatre Summer of Bautzen) in June, July and August. The theatre offers a great outdoor theatre spectacle for the entire family in the courtyard of the Ortenburg.
