Müller's holiday matinee, a rare five-year event, takes place on October 3rd this year in Rastatt, with its inauguration having occurred in 1992.
In a recent announcement, Mayor Monika Müller (SPD) of Rastatt, Germany, has revealed plans to discontinue the annual Matinee series. The decision comes as a result of the current financial situation and a reassessment of cultural priorities in the city.
The Matinee, a cherished cultural event in Rastatt, was first held in its current form in 1992. Over the years, it has become a significant part of the city's calendar, except for the years 2016 and 2020 when it was cancelled due to celebrations marking the anniversaries of Rastatt's partnerships with Fano and Ostrov, and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively.
The city council has been informed about the cost-saving proposal for the Matinee series. In the new arrangement, the Matinee will be held every five years instead of annually, with the first post-discontinuation event scheduled for October 3rd, 2025.
The Rastatt Vocal Ensemble, led by Holger Speck, will accompany the Matinee event, providing a musical backdrop to the festivities. This year's Matinee, taking place on October 3rd, will feature media scientist Martin Andree as the keynote speaker. Martin Andree will discuss democracy, social media, and digitalization, aiming to keep the celebrations enthusiastic while scaling them down from previous years.
The 9th of May holds great significance in Rastatt's history, marking a day of unity among soldiers and pro-democracy citizens. Though the annual Matinee will no longer take place, funds will still be provided every five years to organize the Matinee in a festive manner.
For those seeking more detailed reasoning from Mayor Müller herself or the city’s cultural office, those might be available in local government announcements or press releases not included in the current search results. However, the available information indicates the annual Matinee will no longer take place under its former arrangement.
What about the future lifestyle of Rastatt residents, with the home-and-garden events perhaps filling some of the gap left by the discontinued annual Matinee series? The Remembrance Day celebration on the 9th of May will still be celebrated every five years with festivities, providing a significant cultural event to look forward to in between the matinees.
