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 has been held for the past three years – to denounce the reduction in subsidies for the techno movement. “ radical “ of 10% of the city’s cultural spending from next year, at a time when Berlin’s art 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 all clubs are planning to close down over the next twelve months due to property prices and falling patronage. The commission asked “ an immediate halt to planned cuts 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 “ minimum investment in the arts produces a “maximum benefit “ for the city’s image,” they wrote. Reducing project funding would represent “the death of Berlin culture”.lamented Muriel Nestler, 56, of Berlin’s Costume Collective, who was demonstrating in a plucked turkey costume.

For Patricia Roncoroni, 50, further budget cuts could lead to the “ disappearance “ arts education. The expected savings are “ totally unacceptable “said this member of the Berlin Music School Parents’ Association, interviewed by AFP. The German capital’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Joe Chialo, took the floor to the booing of demonstrators, acknowledging that “ the cultural sector represents heavy industry “ from Berlin. But spending cuts are necessary to balance the budget,” he defended.