Germany’s federal and state culture ministers announced on Wednesday that they have added six new entries to Germany’s National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Berlin’s Techno.
The German capital is world-famous for its colorful techno scene. However, Berlin clubs are still suffering the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lutz Leichsenring, a member of the board of directors of Berlin’s “Clubcommission,” a network of clubs and cultural promoters, told DW that the appointment is “a new step for Berlin’s techno producers, artists, club operators and event organizers. “
Clubcommission supports the preservation and progress of Berlin’s club culture.
“This move will ensure that the club’s culture is recognized as a valuable sector that deserves coverage and support,” Lutz said.
According to UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage basically refers to the cultural bureaucracy of expression, which is directly similar to human creativity and traditions, which are passed down from generation to generation by other people and are evolving.
These are practices, rituals, knowledge, skills, and performing arts such as music, dance, and theater, which are believed to be preserved and kept alive.
“Kraftwerk and African-American DJs and manufacturers like Detroit’s Underground Resistance have made significant contributions to techno creation and culture,” Leichsenring said.
Loveparade co-founder Dr. Motte and the non-profit Rave The Planet are meanwhile fighting to get Berlin’s techno scene on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, separate from the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This came from mathematician and musicologist Hans Cousto 10 years ago, and Dr. Motte and Rave the Planet submitted an application in November 2022.
The German National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage established through the German Commission for UNESCO.
A UNESCO National Commission is a cooperative framework established through a UNESCO Member State to facilitate linkages between its governmental and non-governmental entities and UNESCO’s work. A National Commission is independent of UNESCO itself.
On Wednesday, five more entries were added to the German National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Berlin and the former capital, Bonn.
Berlin’s techno scene has come together through Finsterwalde making a musical tradition.
Also added is the “Kirchseeon Perchtenlauf”, a winter parade in Bavaria in which participants wear hairy monster costumes.
On the list were the “Schwälmer Weißstickerei”, a tapestry manufacturer from the state of Hesse, cider from Viez and also from Saxony.
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Edited by: Wesley Rahn
Correction: A previous edition of this article incorrectly stated that Berlin’s techno had been added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. It was added to the German National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. We made a mistake.