Dietrich-Kittner-Platz

What lurks beneath the laughter? At Dietrich-Kittner-Platz, the echoes of Dietrich Kittner’s sharp wit still resonate. This square, dedicated to the provocative cabaret artist, isn’t just a space; it’s a stage set for the ghosts of satire past. Dietrich-Kittner-Platz, inaugurated on March 1st, 2017, owes its existence to Matthias Brodowy’s online campaign. Launched on Facebook in 2014, the initiative called for a street to be named after Kittner. Now, Dietrich-Kittner-Platz occupies the space of the former Bismarckbahnhof. The station, once a hub of transport, is now a cultural landmark, a testament to the enduring power of words. Kittner, born in 1935, studied law and history, a foundation perhaps for his razor-sharp dissections of power. He founded the “Göttinger Studenten-und Dilettanten-Kabarett ‘DIE LEID-ARTIKLER'” in 1960. His satire, a “Gewerbebetrieb fur politische Satire” as he registered it, was no mere entertainment. It was a weapon, aimed at the heart of hypocrisy. In 1965, Kittner’s audacity landed him in trouble. His protest against the Notstandsgesetze, staged in a gas mask and Nazi helmet, led to his arrest. Undeterred, he continued his one-man crusade, filling venues like the Mehlstraβe, Club Voltaire, Theater an der Bult, and finally, the Theater am Küchengarten. Dietrich-Kittner-Platz is more than just a square; it’s an embodiment of his spirit. A spirit that dared to question, to challenge, and to make you laugh, even as it exposed uncomfortable truths. The square stands as a reminder of the power of satire. It reminds us that laughter can be a potent force for change. A space where a parking lot once stood, now bears witness to a legacy. A legacy etched not in stone, but in the lingering laughter of a rebellious mind. Here at Dietrich-Kittner-Platz, the show goes on, even in the silence.