Protests against cultural cuts: exams and discussions pick up speed!

Protests against cultural cuts: exams and discussions pick up speed!

In front of the Schaubühne in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, numerous people demonstrated this morning. The campaign alliance "Berlin is Culture" called on protests against the planned cuts in the art and cultural scene in Berlin under the motto "Culture for all". Many concerned artists and citizens took part in the protests that started at 11 a.m. The planned savings by Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) amount to a total of 130 million euros, which concerns about 12 percent of the budget for culture. These drastic measures have caused unrest and outrage in the scene, as the Berliner Zeitung reports.

Following the protests, a discussion round with Chialo and prominent guests, including moderator Carolin Emcke, took place. This event that the title "Culture for?" wore was used by the participants as a platform to express questions and criticism of the savings plans. Menekse Wenzler, the administrative director of the German Technology Museum, as well as Jens Hillje from the Sophiene halls, commented on the unclear planning for the coming year. Chialo explained that many details would only realize after a Senate decision on December 19, which was incomprehensible to those present. It became clear that the importance of culture for society was not only mentioned in between, but was vehemently demanded, which Carolin Emcke summarized with the words: "Everyone who wants to stir up racism cheer when culture is withdrawn."

The situation increasingly puts Joe Chialo under pressure. Despite the massive criticism, he explained that the decisions were made by the management level without his direct participation. Chialo emphasized that it was now due to his role to deal with the consequences of these decisions. This led to confrontative moments, as at the end of November, when he was booed before he could take the floor. The minds remain heated according to the latest developments and the Berlin cultural scene is in a critical area of ​​tension that does not seem to be included, as the B.Z. reported.