These were held in February and March for all interested parties at four different locations in Salzgitter.
A vocal performance by Ulrike Steiner (both members of the Zenon Zimnik Gospel Singer Choir), accompanied on the piano by Zenon Zimnik, kicked off the event on 19.02.2018 in the Kniestedter Kirche (Salzgitter-Bad).
Because this much is already undoubtedly clear at this early stage of work on the Salzgitter Kulturentwicklungsplan: regardless of the need for action in various areas, Salzgitter has nothing to hide in view of its existing cultural offerings, its artistic and creative potential expressed in a large number of events and projects and the indispensable commitment of numerous cultural workers.
This was evidenced not least by the lively turnout of around 50 guests, who let Steiner and Zimnik's short foray into classical music, musicals and gospel get them in the mood for the evening, which was opened and moderated by Head of Cultural Affairs Eric Neiseke, but which was also intended to be "worked on".
After Heike Bartels from the Braunschweig agency Just Be had added a few basic explanations about the ongoing cultural development planning process and the evening's organizational procedure, those present were asked to discuss their vision of Salzgitter's cultural scene in 10 years' time at 6 themed tables and to express concrete suggestions, wishes and ideas for its optimization.
These were collected by employees of the Just Be agency and the cultural department and recorded in key points so that they could be evaluated in a next step and incorporated into the Kulturentwicklungsplan.
The generally very pleasing level of citizen participation and the positive conclusions that the organizers were able to draw from the first cultural development conference were also confirmed at the subsequent cultural conference on 27.02.2018 in the Kulturscheune Salzgitter-Lebenstedt.
Almost 50 participants worked together intensively and successfully, exchanging experiences and discussing their ideas for Salzgitter's cultural policy future. Kimberly Klönne provided the musical prelude to the event.
The 15-year-old student won 1st place in the regional competition and 2nd place in the state competition of "Jugend musiziert" in 2016 and performed at the Old Town Festival, among other events. Her performance was so well received by the audience that she will also be one of the performers at the third cultural development conference on 8 March 2018 at the Salzgitter-Thiede secondary school.
As at the first cultural development conference, everyone who attended this or the previous conference evening had the opportunity to take part in a ticket raffle and win a total of 4 tickets for the Kultursommer of the city of Salzgitter in front of Salder Castle for an event of their choice, two tickets for the Zed Mitchell concert on March 16 in the Kniestedter Church, two tickets for the Frank Sinatra show on March 3 in the Kulturscheune and 5 cultural coupon booklets.
The prize draw will be continued with further attractive prizes at the cultural development conferences still to be held on 8 March 2018 at Thiede secondary school and on 15 March 2018 at Gebhardshagen secondary school.