Once upon a time children’s laughter echoed. It filled this very space where we are now standing in front of the Theater der Jungen Welt.
The Theater der Jungen Welt isn’t just a building. It is the oldest professional children’s and youth theater in Germany. Its history began after World War II. It was modeled after Soviet youth work. The goal was to influence children’s moral and aesthetic education through theater.
The first performance was Erich Kästner’s “Emil und die Detektive”. It premiered on November 7 1946. This date is celebrated as the theater’s founding day.
Imagine the early days. The theater was in the Weisse Saal at the Kongresshalle am Zoo. Resources were scarce. But the passion for children’s theater was strong.
The Theater der Jungen Welt became part of the Städtischen Theater Leipzig in 1950. Hanns Gallert became its director in 1990. He led it into the new era.
A fire damaged the Weisse Saal in 1989. The company performed in various locations. In 2003, it found a permanent home in the former Haus der Volkskunst in Lindenau. This building became the Theaterhaus Leipzig.
Today, the Theater der Jungen Welt has three venues. There is the Große Saal with 229 seats. Then there is the Kleine Saal with 90 seats and Etage Eins with 50 seats. They even have a theater bus. It brings performances to kindergartens and classrooms.
The Theater der Jungen Welt offers a diverse program. It has something for every age group. The repertoire includes over 45 plays.
The theater has won awards for its productions. “Crystal – Variationen über Rausch” won the Theaterpreis des Bundes in 2015. “Brennpunkt: X” received the Sächsischer Förderpreis für Demokratie in 2016.
The Theater der Jungen Welt also focuses on accessibility. Wheelchair users can easily access all four theaters. Performances for the blind, visually impaired, and deaf are available upon request.
The Theater der Jungen Welt continues to inspire. It entertains young audiences. It remains a vital part of Leipzig’s cultural landscape. It is a place where imagination comes to life.