Mario Quast becomes new Managing Director of the Neuzelle Abbey Foundation

Minister of Culture Dr Manja Schüle: "Neuzelle Monastery is not only one of the few fully preserved monasteries in Europe and the northernmost example of Bohemian Baroque. It is also one of the most intensively used monastery sites in the country: in addition to the monastery complex with its churches, cloister, farm buildings and monastery garden, the unique Passion depictions of the 'Holy Sepulchre' and special cultural events such as the Oder Spree Opera attract numerous visitors every year. I am delighted that we have been able to find a great successor to Norbert Kannowsky, who has led the foundation magnificently as Managing Director for more than 20 years. Mario Quast has not only been closely connected and networked with the region since he was born - with his professional background, he also has exactly what is needed for this role: in-depth experience in modern personnel and organisational management, effective funding management, the digitalisation of administration and the planning and implementation of tourism concepts and cultural events. And most importantly, he has prevailed against around 100 competitors in an extensive selection process. I am impressed and look forward to working with him!"

Norbert Kannowsky, Managing Director of the Neuzelle Abbey Foundation: "The Neuzelle Abbey Foundation has a wide range of demanding tasks to fulfil. With his training, qualifications and professional experience, Mario Quast has the right tools to lead the Neuzelle Abbey Foundation successfully and securely into the future. As a native of Brandenburg, Mario Quast has excellent connections in the region, the state and also in neighbouring Poland. This opens up new opportunities for the further development of the Neuzelle Abbey Foundation and Neuzelle Abbey as a cultural tourism destination. I am delighted with this decision and wish Mario Quast every success."

Mario Quast, designated Managing Director of the Neuzelle Abbey Foundation: "I am delighted to have been entrusted with the task of continuing the successful development of the Neuzelle Abbey Foundation. In recent years, the foundation has impressively demonstrated the cultural, spiritual and regional impact it can have. With my experience in administration, leadership and cultural development, I would like to continue on this path responsibly with the employees and partners."

Born in Guben in 1968, Mario Quast graduated with a degree in Cultural Studies from the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) and a Master's degree in Public Affairs & Leadership from Quadriga University in Berlin. After working for a long time in the savings bank financial group, he was economic advisor to the mayor of Frankfurt (Oder) and most recently district director of the Schlaubetal district.

The Neuzelle Monastery in Neuzelle (Nova Cella) was founded on 12 October 1268 by Henry the Illustrious, Margrave of Meissen. The originally Gothic monastery was remodelled in the Baroque style from 1650. It was secularised in 1817. The monastery property was transferred to a Prussian state monastery in Neuzelle, which continued to exist as a forestry and domain administration until 1955 and was then nationalised.

In order to revive the monastery complex, the Neuzelle Monastery Foundation was established in 1996 as a public foundation of the state of Brandenburg. It is tasked with preserving the listed site as well as managing and developing the monastery grounds and large parts of the former monastery property. The monastery grounds are home to a variety of cultural events such as the Heavenly Theatre Museum and the Oder Spree Opera Festival. Since the early 1990s, more than 50 million euros in state, federal and EU funds as well as private donations have been invested in the entire complex. In 2018, Cistercian monks from the Heiligenkreuz Abbey in Lower Austria founded the Neuzelle Priory, thus reconnecting with former monastic life on site. They are planning to build a new monastery in the neighbourhood of Neuzelle and at the same time maintain a presence on the abbey grounds.