Opening of Kunstraum MITTE37

[Lars Schumacher]

The opening weekend of Kunstraum MITTE37 in Burgdorf marked a beginning filled with energy, curiosity, and a remarkable sense of community. The new art space at Mittelstraße 37 immediately revealed the potential that lies within its walls: a place where contemporary art, dialogue, and shared experience can grow side by side. The festive inauguration on Saturday set the tone. The unexpected appearance of “King George V of Hanover,” embodied by Claus Peter Enders, created a playful bridge between local history and the artistic present. His greeting to the first exhibiting artist, Susanne Schumacher, was followed by musical contributions from Friedrich Schumacher, giving the event a ceremonial yet intimate atmosphere. On Sunday, the positive momentum continued. Visitors from across the region — members of the local community, representatives from politics and culture, colleagues from partner institutions, friends, and long‑time companions — filled the rooms of MITTE37. Some came to see the inaugural exhibition Light & Shadow, others simply to discover the new space. Many were drawn by the idea behind it: a place dedicated to contemporary art, exchange, and collective experience. In conversations throughout the weekend, it became clear how closely the history of the house and the artistic vision of the team are intertwined. The number 37 is more than an address — it has become a guiding principle.

MITTE37 understands itself as an open, non‑commercial space that aims to make art accessible and to bring people together. Rather than competing with existing cultural institutions in Burgdorf, the Kunstraum positions itself as a partner and enrichment within the local cultural landscape. The diversity of voices and the openness of the visitors deeply moved the team. The strong response is both encouragement and responsibility: a call to continue creating spaces for encounter, dialogue, and artistic experimentation. MITTE37 will continue to evolve, present new artistic positions, and connect people across disciplines and backgrounds. One of the rooms documented in the photo series highlights a central aspect of MITTE37’s identity: a dedicated space for Mail Art exhibitions, presented annually.

Mail Art — with its spirit of exchange, generosity, and border‑crossing communication — plays a vital role in the Kunstraum’s program. Each year, MITTE37 will host a curated Mail Art exhibition with contributions from around the world, and works that arrive outside of formal open calls — spontaneous submissions, unexpected envelopes, artistic gestures sent through the postal system — will occasionally be shown as well. Mail Art contributions may be addressed to Susanne Schumacher or Lars Schumacher at Kunstraum MITTE37. This room stands as a symbol of the Kunstraum’s commitment to artistic networks that extend far beyond Burgdorf — a place where artworks travel, arrive, and continue to resonate. The exhibition Light & Shadow will reopen on Saturday, 30 May, and Sunday, 31 May 2026, from 12:00 to 18:00. One week later, MITTE37 continues its program with the opening of Expanded Field on Saturday, 6 June at 17:00, a project bringing artists from the USA and Japan to Burgdorf. This next chapter underscores the Kunstraum’s ambition to connect global perspectives with local grounding, creating a vibrant cultural dialogue at the heart of the region.