This space has been struggling for well over a year and it seems our reserves kinda dried up some time ago. A couple weeks ago we got a notice, that we are going to be evicted, if we don’t take action. While we have scraped together the funds to get rid of our previous dept, we still haven’t got the money to take care of this month. This is already with members of our collective pouring in their own money ,not just for monthly expenses, but also general maintenance. It’s not realistic to expect a room that’s entirely donation based to finance itself. Yet it would only take 10 people to donate 35€ a month to cover the entire rent. It sounds so laughably little, yet so insanely disproportionate. On one hand 35€ is a lot of money, but for some it’s half a night out. It’s such a nice thought to believe that a group of people as little as that could ease that load, because 10 people, is not a very big crowd if you just picture them standing on the street.
People always say „oh yeah I’ve heard of the space, sounds nice, just haven’t had the time to come by yet”. But we might not be here forever. Not that it matters, it will just be „damn never had the chance to go there, such a shame really” As soon as we are gone people will be like, “damn crazy how many empty spaces there are in Graz, the city should really do something about it. They should give those spaces to people so they can use them.” As soon as a space becomes a possible option for interim use, people get excited and pour in all their energy. I do believe in this space, I do believe it’s important and I do believe that there’s people whom this space is important to. It’s not just an activist space, it’s a social space, it’s a third space and a second home for people who might not have a lot of social interaction otherwise. I know the locals don’t seem to care, but I want to make them care. Make them at least care a fraction of how much i care. It’s not just Graz. It’s also the people from all sorts of different cities and countries that I want to give a shit. Be it one time visitors, people doing readings, talks, events; bands that got a chance to visit. I want everyone to give a shit, like I do, even tho that’s very much delusional.Use this space, our doors are wide open.Take the chance to organize, work, read, whatever might suit your needs.This places thrives with community, but dies without.
-schwarze Raupe Obfrau
