Thoughts on Berghain’s 20 Years Anniversary

Mid December, Berghain celebrated its 20 years anniversary (I always find the term “birthday” strange when it comes to concrete objects), and as always, the traditional media platforms were happy to echo the event and sing the club’s praises. Yet, on social media, one could easily stumble upon critics of the pricing policy for the occasion (55 Eur entry, and 15 Eur re-entry fee). Indeed, after generating a profit close to nine and half million euros in the past ten years (source: North Data), one could hope that the club would take the opportunity to thank the scene in which it thrives, with a more pocket-friendly admission fees.

Almost all of us Techno creatures were there, caught by the dark magic of this incredible place, swearing our allegiance to this club. Some of us moved on, diversified our "party-portfolio" with other awesome clubs we're lucky to have in Berlin. Others, remain caught in blind loyalty to this place, almost like a cult, that will follow the great entity (and the extremely lucrative GmbH behind it), and will fiercely denounce any critics towards it. Now, 55 Eur? Ten years ago, even the usual 25 Eur would have sounded like a bad dream. Yet things have changed, everything became way pricier, and Berlin is catching the gap to other European metropoles - also in the club scene. I, however, believe, that sometimes, perhaps often, what is financially right, is morally wrong. If you put together a party for your own birthday and price it around 120% higher than the actual common norm or even your own, you breach yet another wall in the dam. Soon enough, we will all be washed by the waters of Ibiza and other commercial scenes, and will forget that it was ever possible to do it differently.