Berlin music campaigners fight for Unesco world heritage status
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ever since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, music fans from across the world have flocked to the German capital for the world-famous techno culture. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But now, like a lot of global businesses and institutions, Berlin’s renowned clubs such as Tresor and Berghain are in danger of financial ruin as a result of the pandemic. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a result, DJs and music enthusiasts are campaigning to secure Unesco world heritage status to protect the countercultural genre. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Berlin-based DJ Alan Oldham said recognition from Unesco would help to protect key venues and boost tourism for the city.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He told </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/05/beat-that-berlins-techno-djs-seek-unesco-world-heritage-status"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Observer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, "Unesco protection would go a long way towards maintaining that old spirit.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Legacy venues like Tresor and Berghain for example would be protected as cultural landmarks. So many venues have closed in just the seven years I've lived here full-time.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"In other cities, it would be the natural club cycle at work, but Berlin is a different kind of place, where the club and creative scenes are the currency of the city."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support has been growing for the campaign, which was spearheaded by berlin-based organisation </span><a href="https://www.ravetheplanet.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rave The Planet</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, who say the techno scene should be protected “as an intangible cultural heritage.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Unesco status is granted to the clubs, they would get extra protection under city planning laws, as well as access to government subsidies and other funding. </span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>
