Bauhaus Anniversary Celebration Kicks off in Dessau

The Bauhaus Anniversary Celebration commences in Dessau marks the beginning of a significant event.

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2025 September 13 . 2:07 PM

2 min read

Bauhaus Anniversary Gala Kicks Off in Dessau

Celebratory Event Kicking Off for Bauhaus Anniversary in Dessau's Venues - Bauhaus Anniversary Celebration Kicks off in Dessau

In the heart of Saxony-Anhalt, the city of Dessau is gearing up for a significant celebration. The centennial events, themed "Back to Basics", will honour the Bauhaus art school, which moved from Weimar, Thuringia, a hundred years ago.

The festivities will encompass exhibitions, artistic programmes, conferences, and festivals, aiming to showcase the ongoing influence of the Bauhaus while honouring its rich history. At the centre of these events stands the Bauhaus building in Dessau, opened in 1926 and designed and built under the direction of Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus founder and its director at the time.

The Bauhauslers, as the students and teachers of the art school were known, primarily designed furniture, lighting, jewelry, and household items. Their works, iconic in the realm of modern design, will be showcased in the coming months.

One of the Bauhaus buildings in Dessau, the Zeeck department store, has been empty for a long time. However, for the centennial celebrations, it will be made accessible to the public, offering a unique opportunity to experience the Bauhauslers' creations firsthand.

Reiner Haseloff, Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasised the importance of the Bauhaus, stating that anyone who questions the Bauhaus also questions today's Saxony-Anhalt. His sentiments were echoed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who noted that the innovativeness of the Bauhauslers continues to inspire today.

The city of Dessau offered the Bauhauslers the opportunity to "literally materialize" their ideas after the art school moved. This opportunity led to the creation of many groundbreaking designs that continue to influence contemporary art and design.

The celebrations will not only focus on the past achievements of the Bauhaus but also on its relevance in the context of the climate crisis and resource scarcity. The works will be placed in the context of the production process, materials, and the challenges of the 21st century.

The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt criticised the Bauhaus and its handling, to which Haseloff reacted. However, he emphasised that there must always be room for experiments and art, a sentiment that resonates with the ethos of the Bauhaus.

The centennial celebrations in Dessau will also mark a double jubilee, commemorating not only the centennial of the Bauhaus but also the arrival of the Bauhauslers in Dessau in 1925 and the opening of the Bauhaus building on December 4, 1926.

The events in Dessau aim to celebrate the past while looking towards the future, highlighting the enduring influence of the Bauhaus in art, design, and culture. The Bauhaus continues to radiate its influence from Weimar, Dessau, and Berlin, inspiring generations of artists and designers.