Declaration of love to Chemnitz

Ellen Schaller

When a cabaret artist writes a book about the city of Chemnitz, the centre of her work, the reader tends to expect a satire about the political situation or current events in the third largest city in eastern Germany. But far from it. In her book, Ellen Schaller asks Chemnitz residents questions about their city and receives a wide variety of answers. With "Chemnitz. A declaration of love", she gives "the quiet voices of the city a public voice", as she writes in the introduction to the book. Her book will be published on 18 November and she will be presenting it that evening at the Kabarett in the Markthalle from 8 pm.

You ask 50 people from Chemnitz questions. It is noticeable that you do not answer them yourself. That's why we're asking them now: What do you love about Chemnitz?
Ellen Schaller: Firstly, I love the Markthalle, the venue for the Chemnitz cabaret, more than anything. Because it's really special. I perform in many places, not just in Saxony. This cellar has a unique flair. This wide stage where you can really see and reach every member of the audience.

So that answers the question about your favourite venue?
It's definitely my favourite venue in Chemnitz and perhaps also an insider tip. (ponders) Rather not. As an outsider, it's really difficult for me to give an insider tip. The people of Chemnitz are fitter. That was also my curiosity during the interviews.

It took a year until the book was finished. We had to find people from all social classes and professions to find out about the special advantages of Chemnitz. Then the conversations were held, photos were taken, the interviews were written and it was checked to see if it was a good fit. "From May onwards, it was really hard work. When you hold the book in your hand at the end, it looks so easy. But it's not at all. A lot of reworking was necessary," says the amateur author. She spoke to 50 people. In total, she only received two rejections. "That's very few for such a huge project."

How did you select the people in the first place?
I simply started with the people I already knew. It was important to me from the outset to have a broad spectrum of professions and age groups. I asked everyone I interviewed who else they could recommend. When it got tight after 35 people, I wrote to everyone and told them which age group or profession was still missing. Then they all helped me.

So you included everyone you interviewed in the book and didn't pick out the best interviews?
Everyone I spoke to is in there. After ten to 15 interviews, I thought everyone would tell the same story. That was my big worry. But it didn't materialise. Every interview put me in a positive mood. It was like a spiral - not a downward spiral, but a positive spiral. I felt very good about it myself.

Was there an interview that impressed you the most?
Dr Ingrid Mössinger impressed me with her knowledge. That was incredible. I couldn't take notes that quickly. I was quite surprised at the seriousness with which she prepared herself. There were also interviews that really moved me. For example, the geriatric nurse. It started with her arriving at the interview with a flower for me and I thought, now the worlds are being turned upside down here. And I was surprised by the things I didn't know or didn't recognise. The Eselsbrücke in Rabenstein was new to me.

Ellen Schaller has been working at the Chemnitz cabaret theatre for over 22 years. The 54-year-old has delighted Chemnitz audiences in over 20 programmes and continues to do so today. She is now on the road with various solo programmes in Dresden, Zwickau and Senftenberg, among other places.

Why has a woman from Dresden developed such an intense love for Chemnitz and set herself the task of putting this city, which is not her home, in a positive light with a book?
It's because of the experiences I've had with the people of Chemnitz over the years. They often have a problem with their city and speak negatively about it. That has always been a thorn in my side. Because it's not what many people say it is. So the approach of the book was: look at the positive things in your city, remind yourself of them and face up to the critical voices. Only when you love your city again will you defend it. In view of the events of the past few months, the book is also intended as an inspiration for the people of Chemnitz.

You are addressing it right now. Do you have the feeling that the negative events of August last year had something positive after all, because more and more Chemnitz residents are speaking positively about their city?
I immediately sensed a drive to speak out in everyone I spoke to for the interview. Many want to counter the critical voices and draw even more attention to the beautiful sides of Chemnitz. That is the positive effect of the events of the past year.
Although there were many initiatives before these terrible events, they have triggered a "now more than ever" feeling. Like this geriatric carer, for example, who contributed to my book and didn't actually want to be photographed in public. But then she did it for her town. There are so many things that came up in the book and I was always amazed at what was done and what was available.

How did you experience the events of August last year?
I'm already familiar with it. As a Dresden resident, I'm familiar with Pegida. But when your own daughter from her circle of friends in New Zealand, from her year abroad, is asked what's going on, then you know what media images are being spread. That was also a reason for the book, to show more than just one side. There is always a focus on disasters. That settles in the mind faster than something positive.
What I observe with great concern is the development that began with regulars' table discussions, which then continues via social media channels, where everyone expresses themselves and it is now spilling over into everyday life. I think this verbal disinhibition, this unbridled hatred and this anger is incredibly dangerous.
This raises the question of where to start. As I said, one approach that I am pursuing with the book is a positive view of things. Another would be a pedagogical approach in schools and homes that deals with behaviour, interaction and communication with one another. I find it highly problematic that you can no longer get at people with arguments. They have their mood, you can't get in between them. They don't want to talk at all.

You have been performing regularly at the Chemnitz cabaret for over two decades. Are the people of Chemnitz humorous people who laugh at their own weaknesses?
I have various programmes in which I act out the social situation of certain characters. These are my own shortcomings that these characters express. The audience's willingness to laugh at them is definitely there.

How do you come up with the ideas of which character to put at the centre of a programme?
My background is in theatre, so I get a good grip on the stories through these characters. I try to think about a social issue from the point of view of a character, and luckily I have authors who help me, in addition to my own writing.

Why did you choose the profession of cabaret artist and what fascinates you about it?
In contrast to acting, the nice thing is that you have direct interaction with the people in the audience. You can immediately sense what the mood is like, how I can approach people, how they take what I say. That's a very big challenge and on the other hand something very direct, which I've come to love. Admittedly, it wasn't my original choice.
I studied acting in Berlin and then came to cabaret because they were looking for a cabaret artist. Especially at the beginning, I had my problems with this "opening up" and with this profession. It's not something you can do straight away when you come from acting. It was a very exciting process. Now I love it when people are really open with me.

Are the people of Chemnitz responding well to the cabaret?
I have the feeling that people like us.

Main topic Capital of Culture: Hometown Dresden, professional centre Chemnitz. Who do you have your fingers crossed for and do you think Chemnitz has a good chance?
I'm not making any judgements. I don't know. I don't know the criteria that are important for the Capital of Culture. I'm just curious. I think every city deserves it and I don't begrudge it to any city.

Let's get back to your book. The format allows for a sequel. Is that already in your head?
I don't know yet whether there will be a sequel. I'm not ruling it out, but I don't have an idea yet.

On Wednesday 18 November at 8 pm, you will be presenting your book in the Kabarettkeller. What can visitors expect?
There will be music that evening, there will be an interview with me. A few people who took part will read out their interviews. I'll talk a bit about the process of writing the book and there will be a book signing at the end.