125 years of the Berlin Chamber of Crafts: Tradition meets the future!

125 years of the Berlin Chamber of Crafts: Tradition meets the future!

What a day for Berlin crafts! An important anniversary will be celebrated on July 8, 2025: The Berlin Chamber of Crafts looks back on a proud 125 years. Founded in 1900 by order of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the chamber has long been more than just an administrative institution. It has established itself as a contact point, source of inspiration and voice for craft businesses in Berlin, surviving historical developments such as industrialization, the two world wars and the division and reunification of the city. According to the Berlin Chamber of Crafts The institution has continuously changed and modernized without ever losing sight of its basic principles – self-management, advocacy and support for companies and trainees.

This celebration not only offers an opportunity to look back, but also to focus on the future. The President of the Berlin Chamber of Crafts, Carola Zarth, underlines the importance of the companies for the history and future of crafts. In their spirit, the advisory services should be expanded and equality between traditional and innovative crafts should be promoted. The high quality of training in the craft sector also remains a central point. At the ceremony, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, emphasized the role of crafts as an indispensable driver for urban development and the economy. In addition, the Berlin Senate supports the trades through programs such as the master craftsman start-up bonus and the master craftsman bonus.

A celebration of the history and values ​​of craftsmanship

Around 400 guests from craft organizations, politics, business and society gathered at the anniversary celebration. The evening was all about ‘responsibility, values, future’. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave an impressive speech and emphasized the enormous importance of the voluntary work of craftsmen for democracy. This was also done by Central Association of German Crafts President Jörg Dittrich supports this by presenting the Chambers of Crafts as places of lived responsibility, characterized by self-administration and voluntary commitment.

The history of the Chambers of Crafts is not just the history of a professional organization. It is also a testament to the adaptability that has helped craftsmen face challenges over the decades. Since their founding 125 years ago, the chambers have experienced numerous legal milestones designed to promote quality and training in the craft sector. An example of this is the Crafts Act of 1897, which laid the foundation for inclusive supervision of the apprenticeship system and the formation of examination committees. The introduction of the master's degree as a prerequisite for running a craft business and training apprentices forms the core of today's craft culture. According to historians, these developments and principles are crucial to the durability and relevance of the craft to this day, as on German craft newspaper is presented.

The achievements of the craft were honored in a ceremonial setting and a strong commitment to the future was expressed. The evening was a reminder that crafts are not only part of the economy, but also an essential part of society, contributing with great commitment and a sense of responsibility to overcoming challenges such as digitalization and climate neutrality.