ZLB plans protest day: save culture in Berlin's former Lafayette!

ZLB plans protest day: save culture in Berlin's former Lafayette!

A cultural outcry! Amid massive budget cuts, the Central and State Library (ZLB) is planning a spectacular day of protest in the former Lafayette building on Friedrichstrasse. The employees want to open the doors of the closed building on the day of the campaign and show that this place is the perfect new location for the ZLB. The message is clear: in times of tight budgets, culture must not be left behind!

In the morning, the ZLB employees meet to exchange ideas, while in the afternoon a colorful program with workshops, readings and advice is put together for the public. “Berlin’s population can see for themselves that the building is the right place for the Berlin Central and State Library (ZLB),” emphasizes a ZLB spokeswoman. The protest is a direct reaction to the billion-dollar austerity program for the Berlin state budget for 2025, which envisages a drastic cut of around 130 million euros in the cultural budget. This corresponds to around 12 percent of the budget and is putting numerous cultural institutions in distress.

The Future of the Lafayette Building

The Lafayette building, which closed its doors at the end of July, may soon have a new purpose. Senator for Culture Joe Chialo (CDU) has suggested moving the ZLB into the building that is in need of renovation. But the exact use of the glass building remains uncertain. The ZLB employees are determined to convince the public of the necessity of their cause and to underline the importance of culture in Berlin. The warnings of possible bankruptcies, restrictions on gaming operations and job losses are alarming and make it clear how important this day of protest is.