Cultural Education

Photography

Co-Labor Statements

September 11 2024

Party location, place to relax, working space - what do people associate with the co-labor? A photo project by Dominique Wollniok.

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Oleksandra, psychologist and teacher from Ukraine | "I have repeatedly organised workshops here at the Co-Labor with people from Ukraine and anyone who wanted to contribute. For example, we made candles and sent them to Ukraine. While we were making the candles, I had the impression that it was easier for people to talk about the war and that the participants had a better understanding of what was happening in our country."

Famlily Gath & Familiy Rademacher from Weimar | "This place is just great! As parents we can finally go to cultural events in the evenings without having to worry about the children. They can run around on the lawn, use the games and we can enjoy the evening with music."

Tamara from Mexico | "I'm actually here with a friend for a music event in the city. But we still have some work to do and that's when we found this co-working space. I like it better here in nature than in my holiday flat or in a café - we still have everything we need."

Ariz, employee at the Co-Labor | "I'm responsible for looking after the guests here at the Co-Labor. I love interacting with people, but sometimes it's difficult to understand the different dialects of the tourists. Most of them try to speak slowly and in simple words. I would say that I have learnt German faster here than in the courses at the language centre."

Britta and Nina, tourists | "We just walked around the city and got lost. The architecture of this building is exciting! And it's amazing that we can take a break and relax here. The park offers a great balance between the needs of children and adults. Here we have both: games and cultural events."

Rayya, organiser of the cultural café at the Co-Labor | "The cultural café is a meeting place for all kinds of people. Sometimes we talk over coffee and cake, sometimes people help each other with official matters or language difficulties. Sometimes tourists stop and talk to us about this place. I am constantly learning about new cultural differences and similarities here. For example, the saying 'talk is silver, silence is golden'. This is also true in Syria."

Irma, participant in the Culture Café | "The participants of the Culture Café have always met me with openness and cordiality, very endearing and without prejudice. I really appreciate this place for that."

Thyra, student and awareness employee | "Today is my first working day as an awareness employee at the Co-Labor. I've already taken on this role at other events in Weimar. The atmosphere here is pleasant, safe and relaxed. All generations are represented, which makes people look out for each other more."

Bernhard, craftsman | "When I was helping to build the Co-Labor, I never thought that a rock band would ever play here. I think it's great! I wish the Klassik Stiftung would invite bands like this more often."

Anja, dance teacher; Franziska, media artist; Valentina, student; Julia, midwife | "We didn't make an appointment, we just met by chance and are now having a great time with music and a perfect sunset atmosphere. Weimar should not lose a place like this. People meet here and children can watch their parents dance - how often does that happen?"

Virginia, student from Madrid | "This is my first visit to Germany. We came here by chance when my friends wanted to show me the city. I find this place fascinating! There's nothing like it in Spain. Parks there are often private and public spaces are not used in the same way as here. I like the combination of music, a green space, a relaxed atmosphere and games that aren't just for children. It's an interesting way of bringing people together. A girl came up to me earlier and spoke to me. Unfortunately I don't speak German, but we understood each other and I showed her how to walk on stilts."

Ludwig, computer science student | "As a computer science student, I'm always on my laptop. It's a nice balance to be able to work on my computer outside in the park. Once I was here studying for an exam and unexpectedly struck up a nice conversation with people passing by. That doesn't happen in the university library!"

Robert, real-estate agent with dog Lucy | "I'm often in Weimar on business and like to use the co-working space here. The only place I've experienced faster free Wi-Fi is at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. I often talk to people who pass by here. Mostly tourists. I find it fascinating how many different cultures know and visit Weimar."

Sora, student and organiser of Bauhaus Buddies | "I especially like the fact that it's easy to meet here. It's great for my art workshops where everyone is invited. Otherwise I would stay in my university bubble and only a few people would know about the workshops."

Sabrina, member of the feminist network Metaware | "I organised a late summer party with our feminist network Metaware at the Co-Labor last year. It was exciting for us to see who else could be our target group. I'm glad that the Klassik Stiftung has opened up and made it possible."

Family Fröhlich, having a picnic | "We've been here several times and enjoyed the sunsets while listening to music. Today we're having a little family get-together and have made ourselves comfortable with a picnic. The atmosphere here is always nice."

Emil, student | "We came here by chance when we were showing a friend around the city. We saw the games and instantly tried them out. We were immediately approached by a girl who wanted to know how to walk on stilts. This place is a great way to activate public spaces and bring people together who would otherwise have nothing to do with each other."

Samuel, member of the band Park+Riot and artist on the Open Stage at Co-Labor | "As a musician, it's really nice to play here. I think it's very valuable that public spaces offer a stage for diverse and political art - especially in a setting like this."

Ali, event technician at Co-Labor | "When I organise events here at Co-Labor and mix a band live, it's not a classic concert atmosphere. It's much more informal. People walk around, joggers stop in surprise, some lie down on the grass and listen. For me it's a very special and a nice change from other events that take place inside."

Marko, organiser of 'After work with Friends' at Co-Labor | "I've had endless moments of happiness here! When we play music you see happy children and parents, couples who have just met, and nice, open-minded people. And all this in a free, pleasant atmosphere. You can dance or just sit and chat over a few drinks; you can walk or enjoy the music right in front of the stage."

Madeleine, employee at the Co-Labor | "One experience has stayed with me to this day: A family took shelter here in the pouring rain. There were obviously three generations, grandparents, parents, an aunt, and a child with a physical disability. Instead of being grumpy about the rain, they used the time to try out all the games and activities. The place became their home for a short while. I found that very touching."

The Co-Labor in Weimar is a temporary pavilion and located in front of the Weimar City Castle. People can relax here or participate in the programme. In collaboration with numerous partners from Weimar, talks, discussions, workshops, concerts, readings and games are offered as part of the theme year.

The Co-Labor is part of the project ‘Ent|Schlossen: Shaping social culture’. It is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

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Projects of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Thuringia, represented by the State Chancellery of Thuringia, Department of Culture and the Arts.