Intrepid Ear Archive: Meiningen: A Legacy of Art and the Politics of Change

24/02/2025 15 min
Intrepid Ear Archive: Meiningen: A Legacy of Art and the Politics of Change

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Episode Synopsis

Discover the fascinating transformation of Meiningen, a small German city with a rich artistic heritage. From 1874 to 1890, Duke George II von Sachsen Meiningen turned the city into a cultural hub, founding the Meiningen Court Theatre and attracting renowned artists. Today, this city of 25,000 residents still thrives as a creative beacon—but it also faces a growing political shift, with weekly protests and rising support for the far-right AFD party. In this feature, Breandáin O’Shea explores how Meiningen’s artistic legacy intertwines with its challenging present.