After Corona, canceled events, absent visitors and rising costs, the small but fine cultural space in Munich’s creative district is in the red. Now the operators have started a call for donations.
The zest for life is back. That’s what they said a few months ago when the spring festival on the Theresienwiese was overrun. The crowds also came to the European Championships. The mega concerts at the Riem Exhibition Center attracted more than 250,000 spectators. And the Oktoberfest? This is exactly why it should take place despite Corona, so that the people of Munich don’t lose their zest for life again. That sounds very nice and thoughtful. But also a bit as if big events were the only thing to be happy about here. As if there were nothing in between in terms of leisure and culture in Munich. As if there were total wasteland. In fact, there is a lot there. You can always go to the cinema, to the theater, to concerts. And behind them are mostly small or medium-sized operators or organizers who make exactly that possible every day.
In Import Export, for example, a socio-cultural gem in the creative district, there are around 250 events a year. These include many concerts, but also workshops, readings and performances. Everything is colorfully mixed and intercultural and organized with a lot of heart and soul. It just doesn’t make such a big fuss. And without megastars and crowds, it might not be that interesting from a tourist and (especially) economic point of view. But you can see exciting musicians from all over the world there. Local artists also have their podium here. And anyone who has been there several times knows that a huge cosmos opens up here on a small scale.
Exactly this cosmos is now threatened. Because the import export lacks the money. Money to pay the artists fair fees, fees and salaries. And to continue to provide a rich program at affordable prices, as in the past twelve years (entrance usually costs no more than a Oktoberfest beer). The cause? Corona. Forced operational stops and event cancellations. And the general cost increases do the rest. In order to plug the resulting financial hole, the operators have therefore an appeal for donations on the import-export.cc website started. They want to raise a total of 25,000 euros, and according to booker Katha Walpot, there has already been an “overwhelming” response. “About 7,000 euros,” she says, but was still missing. Otherwise there is a risk of “bankruptcy” at some point.
Another possible help and also a benefit for oneself: going to the events, such as the concert of the wonderful Italian singer Maria Mazzotta on September 7th. Because the drop in visitors that came with Corona: This is also a problem from which small organizers in particular continue to suffer acutely, while the city council is discussing imaginary Rammstein concerts. If the heart there “burned” just as much for gems like import export, that would probably be a plus. Because otherwise there might soon only be huge events. With high entrance fees, huge stages, screens or marquees, behind which you cannot see the cultural wasteland. That would be a shame and not nice. And a huge loss for Munich.