About the Rote Fabrik Cultural Center

Since 1980, the IG Rote Fabrik (Interest Group Rote Fabrik) association is committed to the promotion of contemporary culture and critical thought. Its main goal is to provide a valuable alternative to dedicated connoisseurs of culture, and to set its cultural program miles apart from run-of-the-mill events and uninspired mainstream happenings.

The program at the Rote Fabrik covers a wide spectrum of cultural manifestations. Here you will find music, film, and theater as well as special events focused on socio-critical thought and culture. However diverse the different aspects of the program may seem, they have one thing in common: They are about fun, reflection and pleasure. The Rote Fabrik hosts festivals that transcend the limits of traditional cultural genres. For instance, it spotlights a political topic such as the increasing surveillance and the infringement of privacy in contemporary society and turns it into an evening of fun and insight. Check out the Big Brother Awards on this web site: BBA Benefit shows are a regular part of the program, too.

The Rote Fabrik is very decidated to the fight against discrimination of any kind. At the Rote Fabrik, enjoying culture is affordable. With a few exceptions, the ticket prices will not exceed 30 Swiss francs. Another leading principle is a restrictive approach towards cultural sponsors that only care about marketing their public image and not about the cultural content.

There are three venues of different sizes at the Rote Fabrik: The Aktionshalle (capacity 1200), the Clubraum (capacity 600) and the Fabriktheater (capacity 120). During summer, many of the events take place out-of-doors. The seasonal open-air stage, right next to the lake front caters to music shows and the Lakeshore Movies (Film am See). Occasionally, the Rote Fabrik co-produces with other cultural promoters in town. In August, the ground starts shaking when a crew of dance aficionados have their «Lethargy» party take over the premises during the city wide techno dance festival Street Parade. In late summer, the Rote Fabrik hosts guest plays from the nearby theater festival «Theater Spektakel» on its stages.

Approximately a dozen other organizations, groups and associations contribute to the bustling cultural life on the premises, thus making the Rote Fabrik one of the largest cultural centers in Europe. Just to mention a few: The restaurant co-operative Ziegel oh Lac, the art space Shedhalle, the educational program «Pädagogische Aktion Zürich» and their travelling toy bus, and the local community center. Last but not least: the premises of the Rote Fabrik are home to a large community of in-house artists. The city of Zurich rents out over 60 art studios to artists. In addition, the Rote Fabrik provides rehearsal studios for music, theater and the fine arts.