DJs, classical musicians, actors demonstrated on Wednesday against the 10% reduction in subsidies planned by the conservative mayor.
What would Berlin be without its techno music clubs? Several hundred professionals gathered on Wednesday November 13 in front of the emblematic Brandenburg Gate – where the Rave the planet parade, a celebration of the techno movement, has been taking place for three years – to denounce the reduction « radical » of 10% of the city’s cultural spending from next year, while Berlin’s artistic scene is already suffering from soaring rents.
According to the Berlin Club Commission, which represents the city’s world-renowned techno music scene, half of clubs are considering closing down in the next 12 months due to high property prices. and the drop in attendance. The commission requested « an immediate end to the cuts planned in the cultural budget ».
Culture, the driving force of Berlin society
Musicians and actors also lent their support to the movement. In an open letter signed by conductors Daniel Barenboim, Simon Rattle and Joana Mallwitz, artists called on the city not to “weaken” the cultural sector. A « minimal investment” in the arts produces a “maximum profit » for the image of the city, they wrote. Reducing project funding would represent “the death of Berlin culture”lamented Muriel Nestler, 56, of the Berlin collective Costume Collective, who demonstrated in a plucked turkey costume.
For Patricia Roncoroni, 50, further budget cuts could lead to « disappearance » of artistic education. The expected savings are « totally unacceptable »believes this member of the parents’ association of Berlin music schools interviewed by AFP. The deputy for Culture of the German capital, Joe Chialo, spoke to the boos of the demonstrators, recognizing that « the cultural sector represents heavy industry » from Berlin. But spending cuts are necessary to balance the budget, he defended.
