Bi xêr hatî. καλως ΗΡΘΑΤΕ. خوش آمدی.
At Gessnerallee we welcome everybody — the devotee and the newcomer but also people and communities who are less likely to engage with the performative arts. Because we stay true to our convictions we give you, our cherished guest, the flexibility to choose how much you are willing and able to pay (from three price levels). We are not yet where we would like to be, but we are constantly working on measures to make the program more accessible to a wide range of people.
At Gessnerallee you will see productions and guest performances by renowned artists and collectives from around the globe. But first and foremost, you will experience the work of local drama, dance, performance and music artists while a number of these projects will have originated right here, at Gessnerallee. It is integral to us, not only for environmental reasons, to support and stimulate the local independent scene.
Gessnerallee is a productive lab. Drama, dance, performance, music—all the thought-provoking art we experience here tackles current affairs and questions concerning both us and society at large. Festivals and thematic series are equally part of the program as are our participatory, "join" formats.
Our program is organized in five cycles. Between cycles we give ourselves a break for reflection in order to digest, think ahead and prepare anew.
Have you met them yet? Our mascot, the octopus? They accompany you physically at Gessnerallee but also virtually on this website. They’re new at Gessnerallee and perhaps so are you. This octopus is still figuring things out, has a lot of questions and, in fact, doesn’t have a name yet. At times, they don’t even feel like an octopus but rather an elephant in a Porcelain store. Nevertheless, let them reach out to you with one of their eight arms for octopuses are very curious and explore their environments gently and carefully. Together with you and the octopus we wish to re-explore and re-experience Gessnerallee!
We are very much looking forward to meeting you—while we watch collectively, join in activity and festivity and in lively conversations.