Last museum Sunday in Berlin: Citizens protest in cuts!

Last museum Sunday in Berlin: Citizens protest in cuts!

On the first Advent, the museum island in Berlin saw an unusual picture: hundreds of people stood in long queues to take the last opportunity to get into the museums free of charge. As the Berliner Zeitung , a successful era ended with this museum Sunday, which began three years ago 2.2 million visitors attracted. Due to drastic cuts in the cultural budget of the Berlin Senate, which wants to save a total of three billion euros, the popular free entry to the approximately 80 participating museums is no longer offered.

The decision to stop the museum Sunday caused disappointment among the visitors. "Now more than now," said many, planning to visit as many museums as possible to set an example. The 20-year-old Marlen S. commented frustrated about the loss of the offer: "It was a great opportunity for everyone to use educational offers free of charge." The 81-year-old Marlene Sternstein, who had made many visits over the years, also found it regrettable that she would now have to do without cultural offers as a pensioner because her budget was limited. Long queues, also in front of the old National Gallery, were the result of the high rush.

cultural savings and their consequences

like the Welt came not only for free admission, but also to protest. Karsten Walter, a Berlin citizen, described the decision as "shit" and believed that the Senate should rather save elsewhere. Critics expressed that the savings on cultural programs meet many people who often use them, especially families and students who otherwise did not have the means to regularly attend museums. From 2025, the culture in Berlin is expected to lose 130 million euros from its budget, which means that many projects are at risk and threaten further cuts.