In the run-up to the Berlin House of Representatives election, the Berlin regional branch of the German Stage Association and the #DeineStimmeFürKultur / #BerlinistKultur initiative, in cooperation with the *Tagesspiegel*, cordially invite you to a public panel discussion with the leading candidates of the democratic parties.

Berlin faces pivotal decisions. In light of tight public budgets, cuts to the cultural sector and increasing competition from other European cities, the question arises as to what role culture should play in the future development of our city.

Against this backdrop, we have invited the leading candidates to discuss how Berlin can secure its international appeal as a cultural metropolis; the importance of culture in times of tight public budgets; the role culture should play in future as an economic and locational factor; how planning certainty and prospects can be created for cultural institutions and the independent arts scene; and what cultural policy priorities the next state government will set.

Thomas Fehrle (Berlin Regional Association of the German Theatre Association) and Daniel Brunet (Coalition of the Independent Theatre Scene) will welcome the audience. Participants in the panel discussion, moderated by Ruth Ciesinger (Tagesspiegel), are Elif Eralp (Die Linke), Bettina Jarasch (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, representing Werner Graf), Steffen Krach (SPD) and Cerstin Richter-Kotowski (CDU, representing Stefan Evers).

The event is aimed at cultural practitioners, staff at Berlin’s cultural institutions, representatives from politics, the civil service, business and tourism, as well as anyone with an interest in cultural policy. read less