Wiesbaden’s Mayoral Race Puts the Future of Walhalla Theater Center Stage

A historic theater’s destiny divides the candidates—will it stay public or go private? The election could redefine Wiesbaden’s cultural soul. From subsidies to migrant artists, the debate reveals what’s at stake for the city’s creative future.

, and Administrator

2025 November 16 . 1:21 PM

1 min read

This picture is clicked in an auditorium. The man in pink and white dress is standing near the... — This picture is clicked in an auditorium. The man in pink and white dress is standing near the podium and he is about to talk. Beside him, we see plants and beside that, we see chairs two chairs and on background we see a colorful wall.

Wiesbaden’s Mayoral Race Puts the Future of Walhalla Theater Center Stage

Wiesbaden's mayoral election on March 9, 2025, sees candidates debating cultural policy, with the Walhalla Theater's future at the heart of the discussion. Ten candidates, including incumbent Gert-Uwe Mende (SPD) and Thilo von Debschitz (Independent, CDU, FDP), are vying for the mayoral seat, aiming to shape the city's cultural landscape sustainably and win citizens' trust.

The candidates, including Gesine Bonnet (The Greens), Ingo von Seemen (The Left), and Christian Hill (Pro Auto), gathered at the Pariser Hof to discuss their cultural visions. While some, like Ralf Offermanns (AfD) and Elmer Krebber (ULW), advocate for multifunctional use of the Walhalla Theater, others, such as Andreas Gutzeit (FWG) and Lukas Haker (The Party), lean towards leasing it to private investors. The future of the historic venue remains controversial.

Candidates also addressed funding of cultural institutions. Some, like von Debschitz and Bonnet, advocate for more private patrons, while others, like Mende and Hill, demand fairer distribution of subsidies between state theater and the free scene. The candidates agreed on supporting young talents and expanding cultural offerings to city districts, with von Seemen emphasizing the importance of involving migrant artists.

As the election approaches, the candidates' stances on cultural financing and the Walhalla Theater's future will continue to shape the debate. With no clear consensus, citizens will have the opportunity to engage with the candidates' ideas and make an informed decision on March 9, 2025.