History

When the city of Zurich bought the former silk mill Rote Fabrik («red factory», named red factory for its distinctive red colored bricks) in the early nineteen seventies, the city's intention was to have the buildings torn down in favor of a street improvement project in planning. Fortunately, in September 1973, the local section of the social democratic party called for a petition for a referendum to save the Rote Fabrik. It was to become a cultural and community center instead.

In 1977, the referendum was successfully won, but for the years to come nothing happened. According to the mayor of Zurich at that time, Sigi Widmer, «rock music cannot be considered culture, therefore there is no room for it in a cultural institution of the city.»

The young people of Zurich were not amused. In May 1980 they took to the streets and started protesting. "The Dead Factory must live!" was one of their demands. Six months of continuous demonstrations and riots were to follow. An autonomous youth center was installed in another part of town, more rioting followed. Finally, the gates to the Rote Fabrik swung open in late 1980, on conditional terms. Seven years later, in December 1987, the voters of Zurich agreed to have the Rote Fabrik cultural center established on definite terms.

The Rote Fabrik turned out to be a very popular place. Over a million visitors had come by at the time of its fifteenth anniversary in 1995. The cultural center had come a long way since its early beginnings. The «Great Mama for the alternative scene in Zurich» (quoted from the Rote Fabrik 15th anniversary brochure) now had turned into the flagship of the cultural centers in Switzerland. Needless to say, meanwhile the city of Zurich is proud of it and presents the Rote Fabrik as an example of the kind of cosmopolitan culture it likes to promote.

The Rote Fabrik is among the largest and most diverse cultural centers in Europe. Its influence radiates way beyond the city limits of Zurich. The bands Yello, Stefan Eicher, Young Gods, Nirvana, and Red Hot Chili Peppers have played shows here. The theater stage saw performances by Mummenschanz, Christoph Marthaler, 400asa, or Heine Goebbels. Prominent thinkers and activists like Rigoberta Menchù, Ernesto Cardenal, Noam Chomsky, and Pierre Bourdieu have given lectures. Authors like Nadine Gordimer, Günther Grass, Niklaus Meienberg, and Alice Schwarzer have held readings - just to mention a few names. Some of the artists were already famous at the time of their performance, but most of these now nationally and internationally renowned artists started out right here at the Rote Fabrik.

Extraordinary events have always been a good excuse for a celebration, as for instance the reopening of the main venue Aktionshalle after its renovation in 1995. The «Zurich bands allnighter» had 14 local bands on stage, delving into the past with song covers from the time of the early beginnings of the Rote Fabrik.

Anniversaries are a moment in time for reflection, for picking up speed, and for growth. When the 25th anniversary came around, persons working behind the scenes decided to step on stage themselves. Members of the various Rote Fabrik crews - the managing team, the restaurant collective, the board - joined forces and performed three theater plays. Counting highlights is fine and dandy, but resting on laurels is not enough. History is in the making and so is the cultural program of the Rote Fabrik. More history is soon to follow. For everything else, all that remains to be said is: «Come on in!»