The Left Party sees club culture in Saxony under threat and is calling for a protective shield for clubs and live music venues. Rising costs, declining visitor numbers and a lack of support would bring many establishments to the brink of closure, the left-wing parliamentary group in the state parliament announced after a hearing in parliament. A comprehensive package of measures was needed to save the vibrant club scene and secure it in the long term.
Clubs as part of quality of life
"Clubs are far more than just places to dance. They are cultural venues, spaces for encounters, for new ideas, for new artistic talent. They also shape the quality of life in our cities and regions - and are a location factor in tourism and in the competition for skilled workers," explained MP Luise Neuhaus-Wartenberg. If the Saxon government does not act, there is a threat of clubs dying out, which would massively damage Saxony's cultural diversity.
Left-wing parties want emergency aid program for clubs in need
The left-wing parties introduced a motion on the subject. Among other things, it provides for an emergency aid program for clubs in financial distress. Clubs need to be recognized as cultural venues so that they can receive funding. Targeted investment and renovation programs and a campaign to strengthen the club landscape, including in rural areas, are also needed.
"The coronavirus pandemic, rising energy prices and general inflation have hit the scene hard. Already, 16% of club operators are thinking about closing," emphasized Neuhaus-Wartenberg. Without help, the offer would shrink and with it a piece of the cultural DNA.
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