Director Erich Sidler is leaving the Deutsches Theater Göttingen!

Director Erich Sidler is leaving the Deutsches Theater Göttingen!

The cultural world of Göttingen is currently in turmoil: Erich Sidler, who has been director of the Deutsches Theater Göttingen since 2014, has announced his retirement. This comes as a surprise as he has only recently been praised in the media for his contributions to the theater. Sidler will leave the company at the end of the 2026/27 season, i.e. in the summer of 2027, two years before the original end of his contract. How Göttingen Tageblatt reports, Sidler has concerns that the financial cuts that are threatening from 2027 could lead to a difficult situation for the theater. His goal is to avoid bankruptcy and avoid responsibility for possible workforce reduction measures.

In recent years, Sidler has shaped the theater with a clear focus on creative programs and cultural exchange. He was always committed, as emphasized by CDU state parliament member Carina Hermann, who sees his withdrawal as a loss for the cultural sector in Göttingen. The CDU member of the Bundestag Fritz Güntzler also highlights Sidler's efforts to promote exchange between different cultural actors.

Political echo and challenges

The reactions of the political groups were quick and uniform. In addition to supporting Sidler, the SPD parliamentary group expresses concern about the uncertainties in the cultural landscape. 500,000 euros have already been planned in the budget for 2025/26 to develop a new renovation option after a general renovation was stopped due to a budget deficit. The Green Group sees the change in directorship as an opportunity to develop a new cultural policy model.

However, the current situation represents a challenge for the Deutsches Theater. A restructuring freeze has still been decided, which raises the question of the theater's financial future. Councilwoman Wibke Güntzler also criticizes Mayor Petra Broistedt (SPD) for her role in this process. There are also concerns that working conditions for employees could decline if financing is not secured.

A look at the future

Sidler's decision is seen in the political sphere as a clear signal for cultural policy. Whether the German Theater, a center of cultural life, can continue to exist depends on a stable financial foundation. The local factions agree that reliable financing and planning security are urgently needed in order not to lose Sidler's long experience and expertise.

His early departure at least enables the possibility of an orderly search for a successor. Now it's time to plan the next steps and ensure that the Deutsches Theater remains a place for creativity. It remains to be seen who will inherit Sidler and how the theater will be positioned in the coming years.