“A financial mistake”: Berlin to cut culture budget by 12% in 2025
Demonstrations took place earlier this month in protest of the budget slash
Berlin’s culture budget is set to be cut by 12% in 2025 – an equivalent loss of around €120 million for the city’s culture sector.
The move to cut funding was announced by Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner on Tuesday, November 19, who called the decision a “painful” one (via Yahoo News).
“We now have to see, and I hope the theatres will do the same, also in discussions with our cultural institutions, how we can manage to work even more economically here," Wegner said.
Culture cuts will begin in 2025, and are set to affect nightlife and club culture across the city. Earlier this month, demonstrations took place in protest of the budget slash.
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Demonstrations were arranged by Berlin’s Club Commission, who urged those against the planned cuts to “take the streets” at Platz des 18. März alongside participating institutions and artists.
“Reducing funding for culture is not only a cultural but also a financial mistake,” reads an Instagram post from the Club Commission. “These cuts would place a heavy burden on numerous cultural creators and institutions and would also damage Berlin’s reputation.”
Culture budget cuts are also set to impact institutions like theatres, which according to Yahoo News, have already been warned of insolvency and job losses in recent weeks.
Berlin’s Komische Oper venue, which received funding to renovate in a near billion Euro fund distributed across the city’s cultural sector earlier this year, must now delay renovations indefinitely following planned cuts.
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Last year, Berlin’s Senator for Culture earmarked an enormous culture fund for 2024, which was promised to go toward adding 500 new cultural spaces across the city.
The move was part of a working project from Joe Chialo, the State Minister for Culture and Social Cohesion, who pledged to continue upping the culture fund with hopes for a €1 billion budget in 2025.
Cuts to the culture budget come amidst an unsettled financial environment for Berlin nightlife, following recent closures of famous clubs including Salon zur Wilden Renate and Watergate, both citing financial strain.
[Via Yahoo News]
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter