Friday, 21 February
Increased ticket prices and fewer premieres: Berlin’s severe culture cuts continue
Berlin’s cultural institutions are bracing for another round of cuts. After slashing €130 million from this year’s budget, the city plans to withdraw an additional €15 million in 2026, with only a modest €3 million increase set for 2027 – primarily to cover rising wages.
The bottom line? Higher ticket prices and fewer productions at theaters, opera houses, and concert halls. Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) delivered the bad news to arts institutions this week, making it clear the cuts are non-negotiable.
While recent protests have forced the Senate to reverse some of the austerity measures, the overall trajectory remains the same: less money for the arts, more belt-tightening across the board.
Will Berlin’s world-famous cultural scene weather the storm, or are we looking at a future of pricier tickets and emptier stages?
