Berlin’s signature techno music has now been officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. The recognition comes after a group of festival organizers, fans and DJs launched a campaign to protect the status of Berlin’s techno scene, citing concerns that culture was at risk of dying out. The status of Berlin’s techno music was added to Germany’s list of intangible cultural heritage, along with four other entries like fruit wine, mountaineering, and a parade called Kirchseeoner Perchtenlauf.
Rave the Planet began lobbying German authorities to apply for intangible cultural heritage status of Berlin techno in 2021, founded by Matthias Roeingh aka Dr. Motte, the DJ who founded Love Parade. The campaign to ensure Berlin’s techno scene secured its status was motivated by the reports stating 100 clubs in Berlin have closed in the last decade; thus, they feared the techno culture wouldn’t survive without this move.
Rave the Planet hailed it as a “milestone” for electronic music culture in Berlin. The move may lead to social and economic benefits, according to The Spiegel publication, making it easier for those wanting to open and operate nightclubs in the city and to access subsidies and government funds. Following the acknowledgment, Claudia Roth, Culture Minister of State stated that Berlin techno culture stands for values such as diversity, respect, and cosmopolitanism.
“This is yet another milestone for Berlin techno producers, artists, club operators, and event organizers,” the Clubcommission twitter handle said on the platform, following the addition to the list. UNESCO states that Berlin techno culture is more than just music and is a “social movement” and “includes clubs, unique lifestyles, fashion, and arts.” Techno music has been an integral part of Berlin’s club culture and nightlife for decades, attracting music enthusiasts worldwide
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