Haus der Freundschaft

Haus der Freundschaft is a cultural center in Schkopau with two main performance spaces designed in clean geometric forms. The larger theater hall seats 750 people while a smaller concert hall accommodates 250, and throughout the complex there are roughly 100 different rooms serving various event and activity purposes.

The building was constructed between 1952 and 1953 at the initiative of Soviet officers for approximately 20,000 employees of the Buna Works. It emerged during a period when cultural facilities were considered essential gathering spaces for the community.

The building functioned as a gathering place where workers and their families came together for performances and social events. It embodied the role these community centers played in daily life, offering culture and togetherness to the local population.

The building is straightforward to navigate as its various spaces are clearly organized and marked. Visitors should allow adequate time to explore both the performance venues and surrounding areas while taking in the architectural design at a comfortable pace.

The building housed technical equipment that ranked among the most advanced in East Germany. These sophisticated stage systems allowed the venue to host touring productions from major cities like Berlin and stage complex performances.