Nova Meierhenrich
“From cool to philistine with a signature”
Nova Meierhenrich at a performance in Hamburg.
© imago/APress
Nova Meierhenrich has had an allotment garden since 2018. Here she reveals what she loves about it and what she intends to do with her new mobile home.
Presenter and actress Nova Meierhenrich (48) has had an allotment garden since 2018. In her book “Endlich Laubengirl – Mein Abenteuer Schrebergarten” (Gräfe und Unzer) she tells stories about her plot. There are also building instructions, plant tips and tips from many other arbor owners. In an interview with spot on news, the 48-year-old explains what allotment garden owners need to bring and what campfires mean for them.
Her book “Finally Laubengirl – My Adventure Schrebergarten” is now published. Since the Corona period there is said to have been a real run on the gardens…
Nova Meierhenrich: Yes, it was difficult before. Since Corona it has been almost impossible to get hold of a plot. Usually only two to three gardens become free each year, for reasons of age or because of a move. Nobody gives up their plot voluntarily – understandable: For us it was also paradise during the lockdown. I have my garden together with a friend and her son – he didn’t have to sit in a three-room apartment, we spent the lockdown together in our garden. The little one could run around, play and wasn’t locked in. We were now busy renovating everything. What I remember from 2020 are the garden and the long queues in front of the hardware stores.
You have had your plot since 2018. What should an allotment gardener bring with him?
Meierhenrich: Definitely tolerance. Live and let live is the motto. The allotment garden world has an incredible number of rules. And even if the bourgeoisie is slowly lifting the veil, it’s still very old-fashioned. You have to live with the fact that you belong: from cool to bourgeois with a signature. Once you let that sink in, you have to abide by the rules from now on. It starts with the fact that the hedge must not be one centimeter higher than a colony requires. There is a midday break when you have to be quiet… There really are a lot of regulations and they vary from colony to colony. It is not limitless freedom, but freedom within limits. But I still think it’s great. In addition to tolerance, a sense of community is also important. There is community work to which everyone is assigned and everyone lends a hand. And there are events in the club house and you should get involved through voluntary offices. So it’s not for total loners.
You worked a lot in your garden during the Corona period. How has the crisis affected you professionally?
Meierhenrich: It was tantamount to a professional ban. That was tough. The order book was full in February and empty a week later in March – for the whole year. In the meantime there was a small high. Then everything was canceled again. In acting, they found a way to shoot. But moderation and performances in the live area are impossible. These are tough years for our industry. We artists can hardly expect anything in terms of state aid.
How has the TV landscape changed in general in recent years?
Meierhenrich: Especially in the past two years, streaming has exploded because everyone was at home. In the beginning it worried me, but in the end it also opens up more possibilities. There are more productions due to the new suppliers. But not only streaming was in demand during the Corona period, but also the reality segment again. People sit at home with light conversation and think to themselves: In contrast, my life is not that bad. Personally, I can’t look at something like that… But great new formats have also been added. My colleagues Joko and Klaas managed to initiate TV campfires again – without the hundredth remake of “Wetten, dass…?”. They are new campfires that are more in keeping with our times.
Where remakes are currently in vogue. After “bet that…?” are also the shows “7 days, 7 heads” and “Go all out!” back there.
Meierhenrich: Even “The price is hot” comes back. It’s a bit like the Netflix effect: you make a commitment to watch something new. Then you spend half an hour watching a thousand trailers, only to end up with the movie you’ve seen ten times – because you know what you’re getting! And I think that’s also with these TV campfires like “Wetten, dass..?” so. It’s the memories of the good times associated with it that can be brought up again. But I’m also happy about every new campfire. However, it is more difficult today to bring people together in front of the screens.
Do you also like campfire romance away from the screen?
Meierhenrich: Yes! And I’ll get as many of them as possible when I’m on the road with my new camper this year. I’ve often traveled in rented mobile homes. Now I’ve found the perfect one for me personally. For me, traveling means freedom. Because of my job, I’ve been jetting around the world for so many years. I was allowed to absorb so many places, emotions, contacts. It’s incredibly rewarding. Every journey is also a journey to oneself, they say. And that’s true! The horizon expands. You have the chance to get to know other countries, other customs, other opinions, other people. And I think that’s the best thing about my job. It is a present.
What other projects do you have in store?
Meierhenrich: I still hope that I can implement a planned format with the caravan that was shattered by Corona. I also created an Instagram format during the lockdown period, the “Couch whisper” interview series. This is now moving into real life, there will be programs recorded in front of an audience. After the book, my own wine will also appear in April. I created it together with a winemaker friend of mine, I was involved in the process from start to finish and on site at every step. This is a heart project. 50 cents from the sale of each bottle then go to my children’s foundation “Herzpiraten”.