Berlin Art Students Protest Budget Cuts With Dramatic University Facade Covering
Students and faculty at the University of the Arts Berlin decry significant funding reductions, warning of severe impacts on education and cultural life in the city.
- The University of the Arts Berlin (UdK) students covered the main building in black fabric to symbolize the void left by cuts to art, culture, and education funding.
- The Berlin Senate has imposed over 8% budget cuts on higher education, with the UdK facing an €8 million reduction, leading to a 30% cut in teaching budgets.
- Students and faculty report immediate impacts, including canceled lectures, unfilled professor positions, reduced materials, and increased financial burdens on students.
- The protest, organized by the 'Bildung braucht Budget' initiative, criticized the Senate for neglecting education and culture as vital pillars of Berlin's identity and economy.
- UdK President Norbert Palz and faculty members warn that continued cuts could lead to a crisis, undermining the university's ability to function and threatening Berlin's cultural future.
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