UNESCO DECLARES BERLIN TECHNO A CULTURAL HERITAGE
Berlin's iconic techno scene has achieved a significant milestone as UNESCO officially recognizes it as an intangible cultural heritage. This recognition comes after a concerted effort by a coalition of DJs, festival organizers, and fans who campaigned vigorously to safeguard the status of Berlin's techno culture amid concerns about its preservation.
The inclusion of Berlin techno in Germany's list of intangible cultural heritage, announced on March 13th, underscores its profound cultural significance alongside other entries such as mountaineering, fruit wine, and traditional Bavarian parades. Rave The Planet, spearheading the campaign since 2021, celebrated the achievement as a testament to the cultural creators who have shaped Berlin's techno landscape over the years.
With an estimated closure of around 100 clubs in Berlin over the past decade, the recognition of techno as a cultural heritage is seen as a pivotal moment for the city's nightlife. The move is expected to yield social and economic benefits, potentially facilitating the opening and sustainability of nightclubs by granting access to government subsidies and funding.
Berlin's Clubcommission hailed the UNESCO designation as a significant milestone for techno producers, artists, club operators, and event organizers. Claudia Roth, the Minister of State for Culture, emphasized the values of diversity, respect, and cosmopolitanism embodied by Berlin's techno culture.
While Berlin's techno scene joins the ranks of recognized cultural traditions, it's worth noting that Detroit techno, despite its pivotal role in the genre's inception, has yet to receive UNESCO recognition. Meanwhile, landmarks such as The Warehouse nightclub in Chicago, considered the birthplace of house music, have been officially acknowledged as cultural landmarks in the United States.
The UNESCO designation underscores Berlin's techno culture as a vibrant and cherished aspect of the city's identity, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.