Berlin Ahead of the Election: What Does the Future Hold for Berlin, the City of Culture?

In light of tight public budgets, cuts to cultural funding, and increasing competition among European cities, the question arises as to what role culture should play in the future development of our city.

The recent study “Culture as a Location Factor in Berlin” by the Institute for Research on Cultural Participation impressively demonstrates that culture is far more than just an optional area of spending.

It is an economic factor, a locational advantage, a driver of tourism, a space for innovation, and an essential component of social cohesion.

Culture shapes both Berlin’s identity and its international appeal.

Against this backdrop, we have invited the leading candidates of the democratic parties to discuss

• what role culture should play in Berlin’s future,
• how Berlin can maintain its international appeal as a cultural metropolis,
• what priority culture should have in times of tight public budgets,
• what role culture should play in the future as an economic and locational factor,
• how planning certainty and long-term prospects can be created for cultural institutions and the independent arts scene,
• and what cultural policy priorities the next state government will set.

Participants:

• Elif Eralp (The Left)
• Bettina Jarasch (Alliance 90/The Greens, representing Werner Graf)
• Steffen Krach (SPD)
• Cerstin Richter-Kotowski (CDU, representing Kai Wegner)

Moderator:

• Ruth Ciesinger (Tagesspiegel)

The event is aimed at cultural professionals, staff members of Berlin’s cultural institutions, representatives from politics, public administration, business, and tourism, as well as anyone interested in cultural policy.