Many small historic village churches, some in remote locations, belong to the Anhalt State Church. With a special project, 30 of them will become places of contemporary art.
Zerbst (dpa/sa) - The Evangelical Church of Anhalt has artists create contemporary glass art in 30 historic churches. The "Lichtungen" project, which aims to beautify centuries-old places of worship in the area of the small regional church, is said to be unique in Germany. "A remarkable ensemble of contemporary stained glass is being created in more than 30 churches between Harz and Fläming," says spokesman Johannes Killyen, describing the project.
Internationally recognized, but also young artists - including from the Burg Giebichenstein Art Academy in Halle - have come together "to dare great art in small churches in remote places," said the spokesman.
This Sunday (4.9./2.00 p.m.) in the Romanesque village church of St. Trinitatis Eichholz near Zerbst (Anhalt-Bittfeld district) artistically redesigned windows will be celebrated with a service. The artworks are part of the "Lichtungen" project. They were created by Johannes Schreiter, one of the most important contemporary German glass painters. "A day of joy, because we are celebrating the completion of the redesign of our small church. Six large windows in the nave, designed in soft white tones, will then be on public view for the first time," said Pastor Albrecht Lindemann.
The St. Trinitatis church was badly damaged at the end of the Second World War, and extensive renovations began in 2017. The total costs are 775,000 euros, of which 150,000 euros come from donations.
The windows for the "Lichtungen" project are created using traditional and experimental glass painting techniques in leading glass painting workshops. The local parishes are involved in the conception. The project, which started in 2012, is supported by the Evangelical Church of Anhalt, the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archeology and the support group "Resolute Churches in the Church District of Zerbst". The funds come from the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the Lotto Toto GmbH foundation and the municipalities, among others. Patron is Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff (CDU).
And the project continues: "In Garitz, north of Dessau-Rosslau, the community is already looking forward to September 27th, when new stained glass windows will be on display for the first time in the church built in the 13th century," said Killyen. The works of art were created by the internationally renowned British artist Sir Tony Cragg. "The colors refer to the red base color of the altar. Tony Cragg also designed a new altar table made of red Italian marble," says the spokesman.
The Evangelical Church in Anhalt is one of the smallest regional churches in Germany. There are a total of around 270 places of worship in their area, 95 percent of which are listed. The best known is the Romanesque collegiate church in Gernrode in the Harz district, it is one of the most important buildings of Ottonian times.
