After the resignation of Chialo: Wedl-Wilson fights for Berlin's culture!

After the resignation of Chialo: Wedl-Wilson fights for Berlin's culture!

Berlin, Deutschland - After intensive criticism of the massive budget cuts in the cultural area, Joe Chialo, who was until recently, resigned from Berlin. The new cultural senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson, who previously served as secretary of the Culture under Chialo, has significantly signaled that she distances herself from his policy. She emphasizes that it was missed to look for a real dialogue with the cultural scene and criticizes the lack of exchange between the decision -makers and the cultural workers. This can be seen from a report by rbb24 out.

The decision to release Chialo is in the context of considerable cuts that the black-red Berlin Senate decided last year. The cultural area is not spared savings. The Senate plans to make additional cuts by 2026, which could possibly make up to ten percent of the cultural budget, as rbbb24 In the past, the cultural scene has loudly protested these incisions and also criticized Chialo directly.

Criticism of Chialo's administrative management

Wedl-Wilson emphasizes that the shock about the cuts not only assumed the amount of the amounts, but also from the lack of dialogue with the cultural industry. It is clear to them: In order to maintain the cultural diversity and quality of the cultural institutions in Berlin, a continuous exchange with the actors of the cultural scene is essential. While Chialo took over in April 2023, he was accused of not adequately campaigning for the cultural interests during the budget negotiations, which finally led to his resignation, as well as Time Online determined.

The background of Chialo's term of office are characterized by tensions between him and the representatives of the Berlin cultural scene. In his statement, Chialo indicated that public criticism of his person had made it difficult to discuss the necessary changes. Sarah Wedl-Wilson, on the other hand, is convinced that real cooperation is necessary to master the challenges.

Future of Berlin Culture

The Berlin cultural scene looks worried into the future. At an action day, numerous institutions, including the German Theater and the Volksbühne, warn of the impending financial cuts. The protest motto #Berlinistkultur reflects the deeply rooted awareness of the cultural importance of Berlin. Actions such as interrupted ideas or empty shelves in front of libraries illustrate the serious situation. The fears range from restrictions in game operations to possible closures of institutions and a loss of jobs, which could endanger the cultural landscape.

The Berlin Senate plans to save ten percent in all departments, which particularly affects the cultural institutions, since the total budget of Berlin is around 40 billion euros per year. A total of savings of three billion euros for 2025 and five billion euros for 2026 are sought. However, the ruling mayor Kai Wegner made it clear that the new cultural senator, Sarah Wedl-Wilson, is able to cope with the challenges in the cultural sector and maintain the quality of the cultural institutions.

The coming weeks will be decisive for how the relationships between the Senate and the cultural scene are designed. It is to be hoped that a constructive dialogue will arise under the new management and the cultural concerns of the city can be secured.