Cultural struggle in Berlin: Wedl-Wilson takes over after Chialo's resignation!

Cultural struggle in Berlin: Wedl-Wilson takes over after Chialo's resignation!

Leipziger Straße 54, 10117 Berlin, Deutschland - Joe Chialo declared his resignation as a cultural senator of Berlin after he was confronted with massive criticism of the budget cuts in the cultural sector. The shock waves of his decision were not only felt in the political landscape, but also in the lively cultural scene of Berlin. His resignation was triggered by an angry reaction by the cultural workers who protested the planned savings in the cultural budget. Chialo had been in office since April 2023 and was increasingly facing the accusation of neglecting the dialogue with the cultural scene. His successor, Sarah Wedl-Wilson, who was previously secretary of the cultural state, had already distanced himself under Chialo and emphasized that it was lacking in a real exchange with the cultural workers. This is particularly questionable because Berlin is considered a cultural center.

The Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) praised Wedl-Wilson to be the new cultural senator and emphasized that she knew the challenges of the department. Wedl-Wilson himself has many years of experience in cultural administration, including as a rector of the Hanns Eisler University of Music in Berlin. It has the task of maintaining the high quality of the cultural institutions in Berlin, while the Senate decided drastic cuts in the state budget last year. Further savings for 2026 and 2027 are also planned, which increases the concerns about the future of the cultural landscape.

savings and protests

According to reports, the cultural budget is to be reduced by a total of 130 million euros, which corresponds to around 12% of the total cultural budget. These savings are aimed directly at established institutions and programs, including the "Werkbund Archive - Museum of Things", which must expect a reduction of 251,000 euros. A decrease of 20% could potentially endanger jobs and consider programs for children and adolescents considerably.

artists and cultural workers fear that these savings could not only endanger the substance of Berlin culture, but could also sell international talents. Sebastian Nordmann, director of the concert hall, expressed concerns about the effects on innovative cultural offers. In the midst of these discussions, the Governing Mayor Wegner calls on the art scene to take more initiative in order to secure their relevance and financial stability.

The outlook

The protests against the cuts were loud and intensive, and the response of the new cultural senator will be decisive for how the climate between politics and the cultural scene will develop. Wedl-Wilson has already clearly positioned itself and sees it as one of her main tasks to initiate a real dialogue with the cultural workers. Their admission to the office is seen by many as an opportunity to improve the tense relationships between politics and the art scene and possibly rethink the upcoming savings.

The next few months will be crucial to observe whether the new cultural senator succeeds in producing the necessary dialogue and at the same time protecting the creative and cultural values ​​of Berlin. Chialo, who was recently under discussion as a possible Minister of Culture at the federal level, chose a difficult course in an already tense financial environment during his tenure, which ultimately led to his dismissal. The Berlin cultural scene hopes that new impulses will be given under Wedl-Wilson to preserve the cultural identity of the capital.