The hunger for culture is evidently great in Unterschleißheim. When advance sales for the third part of the program for the 2021/22 season started, long queues formed in front of the ticket counter. The residents of Unterschleißheim stood patiently across the town hall square to get tickets. The culture committee of the city council was very happy about a return to more normality in cultural life. But it also showed what adversities the cultural organizers in the city are struggling with because of the corona pandemic. And not just when it comes to ticket sales. “It gets on your nerves,” said Daniela Benker, Head of Culture at City Hall.
Daniela Benker says that the corona pandemic has demanded a lot from employees, for example when selling tickets.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
Under difficult conditions, the forum has managed to reach 5,500 people with its cultural offerings since mid-2021. 2,600 visitors came to the open-air events on the town hall square alone. From September to December, 32 events took place. Some had to be cancelled. The uncertainty demanded a lot from those responsible for planning and ticket sales. In retrospect, it is considered a stroke of luck not to have increased the seats in the forum again in the fall, in the deceptive belief that Corona was under control. There were 121 places there instead of 611. Under the given circumstances, there was “a good response,” said Irene Tutschka, head of the culture department. And now? “We have the impression that the audience is no longer so shy.”
You could see it at the start of ticket sales. Daniela Benker and Ina Eigner-Konrad, responsible for marketing, explained that the long queue was partly due to Corona. Because not too many are allowed in at once in the office where the tickets are sold. In addition, many people also have questions related to Corona when buying tickets. It’s about the right of return or virus protection. Benker said you have to respond to such questions and cannot turn people away. Benker advised taking advantage of the opportunity to secure tickets by email or by phone. This is made public again and again, but not everyone gets it. Another problem, Benker admitted, is that the forum only has a single Munich ticket license. So only one customer can be served at a time.
Cinema operator Stefan Stefanov from the Capitol in Unterschleißheim.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The Forum is looking to 2022 with confidence in view of the announced gradual reduction in corona restrictions. Thomas Christoph looked back on difficult months for the Capitol cinema in the presence of cinema operator Stefan Stefanov. After a seven-month lockdown, at least 198 film fans were welcomed to the municipal cinema program for 29 films in June. In the months that followed, the cinema reached many people with a greatly reduced number of seats. The new year started with a sold-out performance – with 21 seats – with the classic film “Death on the Nile” with Peter Ustinov. He is “optimistic” about the coming months, said Christoph.
In any case, it is planned again with a little more courage. According to the current status, the folk festival will also take place again in Unterschleißheim, which could take place from June 3rd to 12th. The club’s lantern festival in July is also planned, as is the tent festival in August. And much more. Also in June and July there should be a lot on the town hall square.