Thursday 14, March
Berlin’s techno scene added to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list
UNESCO announced yesterday that six new additions, including Berlin techno, have been made to its list of intangible cultural heritage in Germany.
The announcement comes as a major milestone for Berlin’s clubbing and techno community. “The decision will help us ensure that club culture is recognised as a valuable sector worthy of protection and support,” said Lutz Leichsenring, a member of Berlin’s ‘Clubcommission’.
According to UNESCO’s definition, intangible cultural heritage refers to forms of cultural expression directly connected with human creativity and tradition, that are constantly evolving and are passed down through generations.
UNESCO’s five other German entries are certainly more on the traditional side. Schwälmer Weißstickerei, a sewing-style originating in Hesse, an apple wine called Viez from Rhineland and mountaineering in Saxony are some of the new additions.
According to reports from Der Spiegel, members of the local techno scene hope that its new official status will bring some tangible social and legal advantages. This should mean that opening new clubs, accessing government subsidies and charitable funding should become easier.
