The Mendelssohn Remise: A struggle for the culture of memory in Berlin
The Mendelssohn Remise: A struggle for the culture of memory in Berlin
The impending closure of the Mendelssohn memise in Berlin throws a bright light on the challenges of the culture of memory in Germany and the financial hurdles with which many cultural institutions are confronted. This unique place, which has been a center for concerts and readings since 2004, stands on the edge of the Gendarmenmarkt and is inextricably linked to the history of the Jewish Mendelssohn family.
historical roots and cultural importance
The Mendelssohn memise was once a bank and later a carriage stall. Today it is an important museum that receives the traces of the Mendelssohn dynasty in Berlin's cultural history. The preservation of such places is of enormous importance because they preserve the lively memory of personalities such as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and his sister Fanny Hensel in public. These two musical geniuses have shaped German music, and their stories are part of the cultural heritage of Berlin.
rising rental costs as a threat
The financial security of the Mendelssohn Remise, which is mainly supported by donations from the Mendelssohn-Gesellschaft, is on the brink. The owner of the building increased the rent by 25 percent and requested a contract with a short termination option. Thomas Lackmann, the head of the coache, emphasizes that these conditions make continuous museum work impossible. The annual rental amount is currently around 80,000 euros, which is hardly sustainable for such a small institution.
political responsibility and possible support
The federal cultural and media officer, Claudia Roth, has pointed out the opportunity to apply for funding through the capital culture fund. However, as a project -based funding, this is only a temporary solution and not a long -term plan. Joe Chialo, Berlin's cultural senator, sent a letter to the owner, in which he asks for continuation of the existing tenancy. However, a permanent solution looks different.
The cultural effects of closure
If the Mendelssohn Remise should close at the end of 2024, not only the event series "The Last Rose of Summer" would be hard, but would also change the overall picture of the Berlin cultural scene considerably. International artists who appear there, like Vladimir Stoupel and Judith Ingolfsson, could no longer make music in this historical framework. This would not only mean the loss of a concert location, but also the death of an important cultural tradition.
Entry into the Enlightenment and Tolerance
The influence of the Mendelssohn family extends beyond the music, and especially the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn stands for the principles of the Enlightenment. His legacy of tolerance and the bridges between religions also remains significant in the current social discussion. In view of the increasing anti-Semitism in Germany, reinforced by current geopolitical conflicts, the preservation of places such as the Mendelssohn remise becomes even more urgent. Lackmann warns of a creeping loss of the culture of remembrance in the capital.
Hope for a new home
The possibility that a wealthy patron will buy the building remains a hope that many donations in the cultural -interested community. Instead of being seen as a pure return object, such a person could have the vision, the tradition of the Enlightenment and the cultural heritage of the Mendelssohn family. Support and donations, such as those recently preserved in the form of a check from the USA, are crucial to preserve the cultural diversity in Berlin.
After all, the Mendelssohn memise is urgently needed not only as an event location, but as a place of souvenir and dialogue. Their closure would be a bitter setback for the cultural life of Berlin and the memory of an important legacy.
- Nag