Published
Mon, Dec 6, 2021, 13:40
- The campaign is supported by various industry players, including Ellen Allien, Peter Kirn and Tresor's Dimitri Hegemann.
Rave The Planet, a non-profit organisation based in Berlin, is seeking UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status for the city's techno culture, the Observer reports.
Supported by various industry figures in Berlin—including Alan Oldham, Love Parade founder Dr. Motte (who works for Rave The Planet), Peter Kirn, Tresor's Dimitri Hegemann and Ellen Allien—the initiative is lobbying the German authorities to apply for the UNESCO status, which, if granted, would open up access to government subsidies and other funding. Clubs would also get extra protection under town planning laws.
"UNESCO protection would help a lot towards establishing techno and club culture as a legitimate social force with historical value and worthy of government support, not just hedonistic, disposable club music and drugs," Oldham told the Observer.
Kirn, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, said the status would help Berlin's techno culture "at a time of enormous pressure, both because of the pandemic and ongoing gentrification and commercial pressures."
He continued: "I think the application is relatively simple and, yeah, I think it's underway. The symbolic aspect of this, of being able to tell the story, may ultimately be the most important part at this moment."
Though UNESCO usually grants ICH status to more niche musical movements or practices, such as Irish harping or Tibetan opera, reggae was added to the list in 2018.
Find out more about the Berlin campaign in this video, and show your support by signing up here. Listen to Kirn on BBC Radio 4 this morning. (The segment starts at 2:24:00.)
Earlier this year, Berlin clubs were declared cultural institutions by the local government.