Arson in Charlottenburg: Man pours fire on books!

Arson in Charlottenburg: Man pours fire on books!

On September 21, 2025, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Charlottenburg after he doused several books with accelerant and set them on fire in a public library at the French cultural center Maison de France. The police were alerted at around 12:10 p.m. Quick intervention by those present prevented things from getting worse and the fire was quickly extinguished using a fire extinguisher. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The suspect remained at the scene and was arrested without resistance. During his arrest, he said he believed the historical events in the books set on fire were misrepresented. After being processed for identification purposes, he was transferred to the fire commissioner of the State Criminal Police Office, but was later released from police action.

The Maison de France, located at Kurfürstendamm 211, is not only a cultural center, but also a historic building with an eventful history. Built in 1897 in the historicist style by the master builder Wilhelm Klopsch, the structure was redesigned several times, most notably during a renovation in the 1920s that adapted the New Objectivity style. The building served as a cultural venue after the Second World War and was opened in 1950 as a German-French meeting place. The institutions that house the cultural center include the French Consulate General, the Institut français Berlin, a cinema and a library that promote French culture and language in Berlin.

Historical and cultural significance

Kurfürstendamm has developed into an important boulevard over the years. Originally built with villas, the street's popularity grew, leading to the construction of tenements and trading posts. Even in the early 20th century, Kurfürstendamm was a central location for a wide variety of social classes and international visitors. Writer Theodor Fontane's 1892 description of the area as a "desert panorama" is an example of early impressions of this rapidly developing area.

With its multitude of cafés, theaters and entertainment venues, Kurfürstendamm is not only a shopping paradise, but also a place where cultural movements such as the Berlin Secession took place. The development of the boulevard reflects the social changes from the Empire to modern times and is therefore an important part of Berlin's city history.

The Maison de France now plays a key role in promoting the French language and culture and is a particular cultural attraction. But recent incidents also make it clear that the examination of history and identity continues to be relevant issues in contemporary society.