Welcome to the Linden Lounge: A New Cultural Hub in Linau-Busch 1, Linau

Our Concept

The Linden Lounge opened its doors on 26 March 2025, in a beautifully renovated barn in Linau-Busch, Linau. As a unique cultural venue, we are dedicated to fostering inspiring conversations, art, films, literature, and exhibitions. Our mission is to create a space for exchange, participation, and dialogue - bridging global themes with local relevance.  All our events are framed by the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the corresponding 17 Sustainability Goals.

In a world growing more polarized and where democracy is under threat, the LindenLounge aims to bring people together, spark meaningful encounters and discussions, and showcase different perspectives. Located in a rural setting between Hamburg and Lübeck, our venue invites you to meet artists and thought leaders both from the region.  Come engage, participate, and get inspired!

Who we are:

We, Dagmar Schumacher and Jens Becker, founded the Linden Lounge in March 2025. We are both deeply committed to promoting cultural participation and societal dialogue, especially in rural areas. Our vision is to make the LindenLounge a place where people can engage with art, culture, and pressing global issues, fostering a sense of community and open-mindedness.  We believe in creating opportunities for cultural and intellectual exchange & dialogue, regardless of geographical or social background.

Dagmar brings over 30 years at the United Nations, where she built a global network. Her long-standing to open a cultural center in Schleswig-Holstein now connects UN themes with rural life.  Jens, a pneumologist, ran his own practice in Lübeck for many years. Passionate about education and teaching, he is drawn to the connection intersection of global goals and local action.  Together, they live happily in Lübeck and Linau.

What We Offer:

The LindenLounge is a platform for dialogue & (participatory) culture, featuring:

  • Readings

  • Art exhibitions

  • Film screenings

  • Discussions

  • Musical performances

  • Podcast recordings

Dates

Overview on Past Events 2025/26 – a Selection:

Since our opening, the Linden Lounge has hosted a diverse range of events, including:

Turbulent Times: The Importance of the United Nations in a Changing World

Speaker: Ekkehard Griep, Chairman of the German Society for the United Nations (DGVN)
Date: 26 March 2025
Focus: A lecture and discussion on the role of the UN in addressing global challenges, marking the Lounge’s inaugural event.

Reading with Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Author: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, award-winning Vietnamese poet and novelist
Date: 5 April 2025
Focus: Quế Mai read from her works, including “The Mountains Sing” and “Where the Ashes Blossom,” offering insights into Vietnamese culture and history.

Interactive Exhibition: “The UN and Us”

Date: September 2025
Focus: An interactive exhibition for school groups, exploring the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and their local relevance. The event encouraged dialogue on how global goals can be implemented in rural and urban contexts.

Film Screening: “Inside Kabul”

Date: 26 October 2025
Focus: A documentary film providing an inside look at life in Kabul, Afghanistan, followed by a discussion on humanitarian and political issues.

Health

Date: 16 October 2025
Focus: An interactive debate on Medical Care in Rural Areas—How Much Longer available?  Ways out of the crisis.

Women and Finance

Date: 24 June 2025
Focus: Corinna Witzel, experienced financial advisor, demonstrated in an interactive seminar why it is especially smart and important for women to engage with finances.

Reading with Jina Khayyer

Date: 16 February 2026
Focus: Jina Khayyer read from her book “In the Heart of the Cat”, a poetic and stunning novel set against the backdrop of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran

Each event is accompanied by an exhibition featuring artists from the region: So far, this included Anja Caroline Franksen, Bianca Quint, and Maike Remane

Outlook:

The Linden Lounge aims to further establish itself as a cultural landmark in the region. We plan to expand our network of collaborators and diversify our programming. We believe in the LindenLounge as a model for rural cultural revitalization, proving that vibrant cultural life is not limited to urban centers.