Even in the morning, people kept passing by with curious sideways glances, trying to figure out what exactly was happening here. But it was clear as day at the window: The Milchhalle is opening today.
The café culture that is so ubiquitous in Erfurt is missing - at least as yet - in Schmalkalden. It all started with this simple statement by Franz Eppler. A triumvirate of idea givers who complemented each other was born: The Eppler family, Schmalkalden University and Buks e.V. (Bunte Kultur Schmalkalden). But the Milchhalle is more than just a café, as all the speakers who took the floor at the opening emphasized. The hall is still partially unfurnished, and it still reverberates when people speak, according to Mayor Thomas Kaminski. But with a lot of commitment and an open space that only develops through the ideas of the people who visit it, a place of encounter has been created here.
"What started with a three-pointed star will hopefully become a circle one day, if many more ideas are added" said President Prof. Gundolf Baier. The university will contribute with events to fill the new meeting space with life. Carsten Feller also emphasizes the importance of the university - the Milchhalle should be a meeting place: for international students and all people who have a desire for open exchange. Society has retreated into smaller groups whose communication often takes place on Telegram or other platforms. But we need more exchange and encounter in real life again, because the defensiveness and hatred that people quickly encounter on social media are not the first reaction in conversation in real life.
The mood on Sunday is good, everyone is hopeful that this new meeting place will remain a place where people like to hang out, take a break with a hot or cold drink and get talking. The band Ramm Tamm Tilda rounds off the relaxed and cheerful afternoon in the Milchhalle and sends all visitors off into the evening full of hope.
