The capital city's culture budget is set to face a significant reduction, with over €130 million being slashed from the annual allowance, representing a nearly 13% cut. This decision, officially announced earlier this week, has sparked widespread protests from the arts community, who fear that these cuts will severely impact Berlin's cultural vibrancy. Just two years ago, the city's government had increased the culture budget to €947 million, with State Minister for Culture and Social Cohesion, Joe Chialo, promising to raise it to €1 billion by 2025. This week's announcement, however, contradicts that pledge, confirming that at least €130 million—with some sources quoting as high as €144 million—will be removed from the budget.
As nearly 13% of the culture funding is suddenly withdrawn, several major institutions are already feeling the pinch. The Schaubühne, one of Berlin's leading theatres, anticipates a €1.8 million cut, coupled with an inability to compensate for €700,000 in wage increases. In a statement, the theatre warned that this could lead to bankruptcy by the end of 2025. In response, the Schaubühne plans to close its smaller experimental venue, Studio. Similarly, the Berliner Ensemble faces a €1.75 million budget reduction next year, forcing the cancellation of at least five productions in the 25/26 and 26/27 seasons, according to artistic director Oliver Reese. Other major theatres, such as the Deutsches Theatre and the Volksbühne, are also set to lose €3 million and €2 million respectively.
Smaller venues like Grips-Theater, a youth theatre, are not spared either, with an expected loss of €300,000—more than their entire production budget for a season. The list of affected arts venues raises serious concerns for an industry that has long grappled with financial instability. BerlinIstKultur, a pressure group advocating for the city's culture, has highlighted the year-long struggle faced by artists and cultural institutions, from vague threats of cuts to unfulfilled promises of talks. The group warns that the cancellation of existing contracts will lead to compensation and legal disputes, calling the situation neither economical nor ethical.
In response to these cuts, BerlinIstKultur has organized multiple public rallies, including an action by the Central and State Library on 28 November and a funeral march for culture on 29 November. These events follow earlier successful protests leading up to the government's announcement. Chialo, a CDU politician, had previously emphasized the importance of Berlin's cultural sector, describing it as one of the most exciting and creative metropolises in the world, with a rich cultural scene that includes world-class opera houses, numerous clubs, galleries, and museums.
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