We have known for a long time that Berlin is a cultural hotspot, be that art galleries, fashion hubs, and of course music the city has an undeniable heartbeat that attracts millions each year. Until now this notion has been widely regarded but not recognised by the city itself. In a historic move that would ensure the safeguarding and protection of Berlin’s clubs and music venues as cultural entities rather than entertainment venues.
This is a move that has been campaigned for by the multi-party Parliamentary Forum For Club Culture & Nightlife which undertook a yearlong campaign to bring this to pass. The cross-party discussions that have taken place between representatives from the Greens, The Left, the Free Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and the CDU/CSU resulted in the notion being presented to German Bundestag where it is thought this would be passed with our argument.
While Berghain has had the title of cultural institution since 2016 the fact that all clubs and music venues would now follow suit is unprecedented and in a post-COVID landscape will mean great benefits for these venues. With several venues already falling foul of gentrification this move will mean less vulnerability, tax breaks, and financial support will also be afforded to them. This is great news not just for the city of Berlin but for the world of music as a whole and a massive step in the right direction for the creative medium being recognised as a valid industry not just for the purposes of purely entertainment. There is no doubt that this news could not come at a better time with lockdown restrictions beginning to be lifted in Berlin. The light at the end of the tunnel just got a little brighter.
