Author and pictures: Sebastian Benad

The Kulturforum Synagoge Görlitz was filled with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity on the morning of September 26, 2023. The Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies hosted the ceremonial opening of the semester in the impressive domed hall. From uplifting piano pieces to warm welcomes and inspiring speeches, the event was a complete success and provided the perfect setting for the start of the upcoming winter semester.

Welcomed by Mayor Benedikt M. Hummel, the new students were not only introduced to their academic journey, but also to the diverse cultural and social aspects of Görlitz. Mr. Hummel emphasized the uniqueness of the study location and the vibrant community waiting to be explored.

Karen Göpfert from Siemens Energy Görlitz, Jana Baldt from Johanniter Unfallhilfe and Eva Wittig, Managing Director of Europastadt Görlitz-Zgorzelec GmbH, emphasized the link between academic training and career opportunities in the region. Using practical examples from everyday working life in areas such as communication, healthcare and tourism, they showed how skills acquired during their studies can be applied in reality on site.

Dr. Daniel Morgenroth, director of the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater Görlitz-Zittau, introduced the students to the importance of culture and how they can develop personally and academically through involvement in local and regional cultural projects. He invited all first-year students to a theater performance of their choice with free tickets. He also praised the synagogue as an incomparable place for culture, whose special acoustics Anna Bundrock, a 7th semester culture and management student, impressively brought to life with her musical accompaniment on the grand piano.

Elsa Richter and Viktoria Budde from the Faculty Student Committee as well as moderator Lennart Höhne and Dean Prof. Dr. Falk Maiwald offered students an introduction to academic life, encouraged active participation and created a motivating atmosphere of community and shared discovery.

The ceremonial opening of the semester on September 26, 2023 was a day full of inspiration, music and the start of a (new) academic adventure. The faculty and the city of Görlitz open up as places full of opportunities for students who are ready to start their academic journey.

With this in mind, we wish all first-year students an exciting start to their studies at the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies.