by Lilly Barthel“Committed to the past—looking toward the future”: these words rang out repeatedly on Open Monument Day to the ears of visitors to the Neues Volkshaus Cotta—and to mine as well. Sarah Urban spoke them in 2023 at the reopening of the cultural and community center in this, our shared home. We took part on September 13, 2026, and watched short films and photos from the Volkshaus’s past years on the big screen many times.Days like Open Monument Day are important! We were able to engage with many people in conversations, memories, and stories—about the old and the new Volkshaus Cotta, about commitment to others in general, in Dresden and elsewhere. Here, it becomes strikingly clear that the world keeps turning—and that it can only function if we consciously and courageously “look to the future.”

A total of 3,762 kg of material was donated13,089 kg of CO₂e avoided*Note on the carbon footprint: The figures shown are reliable estimates of the climate impact of our material brokerage. The calculation is based on a scientifically published methodology and was adapted for our specific use case using verifiable assumptions. The results should therefore be understood as well-founded estimates rather than exact measurements.If you’d like to delve deeper, you can find the scientific publication on the study of our material brokerage from 2019 to 2022 here:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-024-00360-y

Application period: through August 10, 2026Note: We deliberately do not require the submission of a finished concept, as we are seeking a site-specific exploration and development—which is what the residency is all about. For the application, we are therefore interested in your artistic practice and personal motivation—what appeals to you about the location and the project, and what your initial thoughts and ideas might be—in other words, a sketch.Selection: Selection will be made by a jury consisting of representatives from the Neues Volkshaus Cotta and the Künstlerbund Dresden. The jury will meet on August 26, after which acceptance or rejection will be communicated.Duration: Starting in September 2026. The residency is to take place over a period of two weeks. These two weeks may be taken consecutively. It is also possible to split the weeks into blocks, but individual days cannot be selected separately.End: with the presentation in October 2026

Marlen Buchda was with us in the open workshops for her report in Medienpraxis. The result is a wonderful article about the conglomerate, DIY and improving the world in the blind spot of urban perception - somewhere in the industrial area in an open workshop.Click here for the article

Having become curious at the Friedrichstadt street festival about what the Konglomerat actually is and what it does, our Saxon Minister of State for Culture and Tourism dropped by on April 1. During a tour of the workshops and a round table discussion at the end, some members presented their area of work and the activities of Konglomerat e.V..Between screen-printed calendar sheets, wood dust and 3D printing, we talked about our topics in urban development for the common good, sustainability in cultural enterprises and the associated problems and challenges of managing an association on a voluntary basis.Conclusion: Ms. Klepsch is thrilled!!! Loves our wood workshop and has taken a few new clothespins with her.On the short way...we'll let you know if anything happens Mrs. Klepsch.

HOW TO FIND USThe Rosenwerk(Jagdweg 1-3, 01159 Dresden) is easy to reach:S-Bahn: Freiberger StraßeTram: FlorastraßeFrom both stops it is about 5 minutes on foot and if you come by bike it is not far either.

Sunday, 14.12.2025 - 2 - 5 p.m. Join us for a festive get-together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!Our Christmas get-together starts at 2 pm with a colorful program for young and old:🎶 Live music with the Fröhlich Music School & the Ukrainian choir Volya🧸 Accordion children at 2:30 pm & 3:30 pm🎼 Ukrainian choir at 3:00 pm & 4:00 pmIn addition to the musical highlights, we offer numerous craft activities, e.g. bird feeders and marble runs - perfect for little artists and nature lovers!Enjoy hot punch, freshly baked waffles and browse the neighborhood market with sales and craft stalls:Encaustic greeting cardsSelf-knitted baby clothesopen ceramics workshopOur festival ends at 5 pm with a special highlight...Come by, spend a nice time together at Christmas, meet your neighbors and let's enjoy the festive atmosphere together! 🎅🎁✨We look forward to seeing you!

Ingrid Jopp presents parts of her artistic work painted with her left hand in an impressive exhibition. Her life slogan is: "Painting has made me strong."The exhibition starts on 12.11. 2025 with a vernissage, is open on Wednesdays from 14:00 to 17:00 and ends in January 2026. Admission is free. We are very much looking forward to your visit.