Berlin’s techno DJs have applied to the UN to recognize their music as a world cultural heritage, which will help preserve “free, wild and creative Berlin”.
The initiator of the application was Dr. Motte (aka Mathias Reing), one of the pioneers of the genre and founder of Love Parade. In 2020, he launched the Rave the Planet campaign, calling for Berlin techno to be granted intangible cultural heritage status to celebrate the “unifying influence of the genre that helped reunite the city after the fall of the Berlin Wall”.
“Berlin is not the only place where techno culture emerged and flourished. Its roots are in Detroit and Chicago, Belgium, France, Italy. But the peculiarities of the German capital and, in particular, the fall of the Berlin Wall became a source of special euphoria, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of techno music. During the 1990, abandoned buildings became the ideal breeding ground for the entire RAVE culture, which reflected in the Love Parade and formed the basis for the close ties between techno and Berlin. This is why Berlin is recognized as the world capital of techno by the international techno family”, – says site Rave the Planet.
“This will oblige the government and other authorities to help develop culture. It also determines easier access to financial assistance. If we achieve this status, clubs can expect lower taxes, as well as softer trading license and lease requirements”, – explains Reing.
In support of the application, Rave the Planet is organizing a carnival in the spirit of the Love Parade. It is tentatively scheduled to be held on July 9, 2022 in Berlin.