Berlin Faces Cultural Budget Cuts as Artists Protest Funding Reductions

The Berlin Senate plans to cut €130 million from the cultural budget in 2025, prompting fears of closures, job losses, and diminished cultural offerings.

Berlin's 2025 cultural budget will see a reduction of €130 million, representing nearly 12% of its planned funding, as part of broader €3 billion citywide cuts.
Prominent institutions, including theaters and the Komische Oper, face potential disruptions, with free-entry Museum Sundays already canceled and major renovations under threat.
Artists and cultural figures, including Lars Eidinger and Caroline Peters, have led protests, warning that the cuts jeopardize Berlin's identity as a global cultural hub.
Recent adjustments to the proposed cuts have slightly alleviated the impact on major theaters, but the free art scene and artist workspaces remain heavily affected.
Despite backlash, Berlin's Kultursenator Joe Chialo has defended the measures, stating he remains committed to navigating the challenges in a 'Rocky-Modus' mindset.