Panel discussion with leading candidates

Berlin faces pivotal decisions. In light of tight public budgets, cuts to the cultural sector and increasing competition from other European cities, the question arises as to what role culture should play in the city’s future development.

Against this backdrop, the leading candidates have been invited to discuss how Berlin can secure its international appeal as a cultural metropolis; the importance of culture in times of tight public budgets; the role culture should play in future as an economic and locational factor; how planning certainty and prospects can be created for cultural institutions and the independent arts scene; and what cultural policy priorities the next state government will set.

The event will be opened by Thomas Fehrle (Berlin Regional Association of the German Stage Association) and Daniel Brunet (Coalition of the Independent Arts Scene).

Participants in the panel discussion, moderated by Ruth Ciesinger (Tagesspiegel), are Elif Eralp (Die Linke), Bettina Jarasch (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, representing Werner Graf), Steffen Krach (SPD) and Cerstin Richter-Kotowski (CDU, representing Stefan Evers).

• The event is aimed at cultural professionals, staff at Berlin’s cultural institutions, representatives from politics, public administration, business and tourism, as well as anyone with an interest in cultural policy.