The origins

DER FABELHAFTE BREMER SCHLÜSSEL was created as part of the 2018 festival “SPOTLIGHT auf die Freien Darstellenden Künste in Bremen” (Spotlight on the Independent Performing Arts in Bremen) by the theater trio Prösler-Rau-Zängerle, which was founded for this occasion as an event to recognize outstanding artists in this city. In 2020, Nomena Struss joined the team and the trio became a quartet! In 2022, Johnny Prösler left after four years. Since then, Silke Schirock has been strengthening the team.

It is a glamorous, cabaret-style award ceremony for the long-standing and fruitful work of performers in Bremen's independent performing arts scene. DER FABELHAFTE BREMER SCHLÜSSEL focuses on the independent performing arts in this city, gives them a voice, makes them visible, and honors them.

What makes this award special is that last year's winners decide who will receive the award next. It's a traveling trophy! The artists are responsible for passing on the award and thus determine how the story continues. This is where the principle of the independent performing arts is put into practice! Self-empowerment, responsibility, and free action are at the heart of the work and must not be neglected here either. This ensures that this award is an award from the heart, an award from one heart to the next, remaining true to the individuality of our profession.

Der Fabelhafte Bremer Schlüssel 2023: “Open up” – for a culture of the heart

The 2023 award winners: Salon Puschel, Andreas Meister, Bianca Oostendorp, Kollektiv Maskimi*, Wunderland Kollektiv
Photo: Manja Herrmann

Der Fabelhafte Bremer Schlüssel 2022: “Honoring independent performing artists in Bremen” – a symphony

The 2022 award winners: Ulrike Knospe, Julia Klein, Franz Fendt, Jaap Slagmann, Hanna Markutzik, Show Kollektiv Bremen
Jonathan Prösler also received the special prize Der Schloss for his participation in the project DER FABELHAFTE BREMER SCHLÜSSEL 2018-2021.
Photo: Manja Herrmann und BeBold

Der Fabelhafte Bremer Schlüssel 2020/21: “Legends of Tomorrow”

The 2020-2021 award winners: Helge Tramsen, Kulturbeutel - Irgendwo, Stefan Berthold, Wilde Bühne e.V., Die Raumstation-Bremen, Renate Heitmann, Jenni Pergament.
In addition, Claus Franke has been carrying around the prize of the “fabulous Bremen Key” since 2018 for reasons of his own, without finding anyone who could relieve him of this burden.
Photo: Manja Herrmann und BeBold

Der Fabelhafte Bremer Schlüssel 2019:  “Off to new shores”

The 2019 award winners: Anna Irmgard Jäger,  Solidarpakt Kultur, Benedikt Vermeer, Tinka Klindtwort, Sönke Busch, Linnea George-Kupfer, Mateng Pollkläsener.
In addition, Claus Franke has been carrying around the prize of the “fabulous Bremen Key” since 2018 for reasons of his own, without finding anyone who could relieve him of this burden.

Der Fabelhafte Bremer Schlüssel 2018: "The start"

The 2018 award winners: Nomena Struß, LAFDK Bremen, Alvaro Solar, Silke Bollhorst, Immo Wischhusen, AMS!-Theater, Studio 13, Claus Franke