STUDIO URBANISTAN: “Spulen”
An audio walk about upheavals, new beginnings and empty spaces

The 1990s in Hellerau. After decades of military use under two dictatorships, the Festspielhaus—once a beacon of splendor—now stands in the area, in a state of disrepair. Behind the long-sealed walls, amid the stench of old diesel, in dilapidated rooms, and under a leaky roof, however, a free space for artistic experimentation is emerging.  

And today? What do the ’90s tell us about social change and empowerment? About spaces of possibility in art? What do people remember, what stories are recorded, and what is already utopia?

Armed with Walkmans and headphones, the audience embarks on a one-hour audio walk through the grounds of the Festspielhaus—exploring architectural layers, personal experiences, and secret traces in the cracks of the walls. Along the way, original sound bites blend with documentary material and acoustic visions to form a mixtape about today and tomorrow. Where does the cassette crackle? Where does the tape skip? What do we record over and what do we record anew? Until the cassette clicks.

Guided audio walks for people with visual or mobility impairments

Are you interested in the “Spulen” audio walk but worried that you won’t be able to do it on your own? Every two weeks, on Fridays and Saturdays during the Visitor Centre’s regular hours, we offer guided audio walks for people who are unable to complete the audio walk on their own due to vision or mobility issues. We also provide a pickup service from the bus stop.

If you have any questions, are interested in this offer, or would like to register, please feel free to contact us by email at barrierefrei@hellerau.org or via phone at +49 351 264 62 37.