“A praline, please, for the show?” you might have been asked in the 1970s right here in front of the Gloria Theater. The Gloria Theater, my friends, has a history as colorful as a disco ball. It opened in 1956 as a grand cinema-theatre. Imagine, the Austrian film “Engagement at Wolfgangsee” graced its screen on that glamorous opening night. But times changed. Television stole the hearts of moviegoers, and the Gloria, like many cinemas, struggled to survive. It resorted to showing, shall we say, “adult entertainment.” However, showing such films for a fee was taboo! So, the resourceful owners found a loophole: they ‘sold’ pralines as the ‘price of admission.’ A sweet deal, indeed. But the Gloria Theater was destined for a different kind of spotlight. In the 1990s, it ditched the silver screen and transformed into a hot spot for the LGBTQ+ community and a breeding ground for German comedy. Hella von Sinnen even launched her career here. Today, the Gloria Theater is a vibrant hub for concerts, comedy shows, and cultural events. It’s a testament to Cologne’s ever-evolving spirit, a place where a praline once bought you a very different kind of entertainment.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to