In September 2021, when clubs in Berlin were allowed to reopen, at least temporarily, people waited patiently in long queues, without worrying too much about the coronavirus. Then the next wave hit Germany.
Clubs in the capital were allowed to remain open, but in December, the Berlin Senate imposed a controversial ban on dancing. According to a survey by Clubcommission, the Berlin-based network of clubs and cultural institutions, 80% of the approximately 100 club managers and organizers surveyed said they remained closed at all times.
Now, Berlin clubs are reopening at full capacity, with no mask requirements or distancing rules. People only need to be vaccinated or recover from COVID and present a new negative COVID test.
Unlike last time, the sites reopen in the spring, which means they can stay open for a few months — previous experience has shown that pandemics generally worsen during the winter.
Under normal circumstances, the reopening would be a cause for joy, but with the war now raging in Ukraine, just two hours away, the coveted return to normalcy seems untimely. “We waited two years to be able to open without restrictions, but our impatience before the opening is gone,” Pamela Sobes, chairwoman of the Berlin Club Committee, told DW.
“We are surprised and disgusted, so the preparation for the opening is strange,” said Schobess, who runs the Gretchen Club in Berlin-Kreuzberg with her partner. Not opening Gretchen is not an option, she says, adding that her team is constantly assessing the situation. The owner of the club has no idea how many other clubs will reopen or possibly postpone their reopening due to the war in Ukraine.
However, a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is being prepared, including a fundraising campaign. Under the slogan “Club Culture United – Stand Up For Ukraine”, the clubs plan to donate part of the tickets to various humanitarian organizations.
Individual members of the association’s committee have already raised food and clothing donations or traveled to Poland to help with the border with Ukraine.
Gretchen has placed a banner with peace doves at his entrance.
Feels “a little weird for a party”
The club scene nationwide has been hit hard by COVID restrictions and, even though clubbing may seem out of place to some people at the moment, it provides people with a way out of the horror and flood of news for a while. hours.
“It’s a bit strange to party, knowing that there is a war in your country,” said Ukrainian DJ Alis, whose real name is Alisa Chepel, on Thursday night during a set at his “United x Ukraine” event. Anomalie Art Club. Donations from the event will be donated to groups involved in the social and medical fields.
“People in Berlin really missed clubbing, they really want to go clubbing. And why not combine clubbing with donations? It really motivates people to go somewhere and if they do it for a good cause – why not?” adds the 25-year-old DJ, who has lived in Berlin for almost 7 years.
“Maybe it’s good to offer places where people can meet,” Schobess agrees, stressing the binding nature of club nights. The culture of the club, he says, is not only to let off steam, but also to express emotions, to exchange ideas with others and not to be alone. “Clubs are very important for democracy,” says Schobess.
A gathering of people from different cultures and backgrounds that they would not otherwise meet – exactly the aspect that people have been pointing to in the field of culture for the past two years, since the clubs were forced to close for extended periods.
The club scene is already looking far ahead, next fall and winter, wondering what will happen if the numbers of infections increase or if new strains of the virus strike a population without adequate vaccination protection.
Specific financial support for the coronavirus should continue, says the chairman of the Berlin Club Committee, adding that in part thanks to these benefits, all members of the association have been able to maintain their facilities.
Looking for staff, hoping for clubbers
Currently, clubs face several different challenges, including the interest of young people who have found alternatives to clubbing in the last two years. Older audiences may have developed new routines and it is unclear whether they will return to the clubs.
In addition to booking problems, the venues are also in desperate need of staff as many have left the scene and found other jobs.
“We were the first to close and the last to reopen,” Pamela Sobes told German clubs. People had the impression that clubs and discos were very insecure. “But people want and need security.” Many clubs, he says, are still in preparation and will only open gradually.
Pamela Stoves says she can not predict how crowded the clubs will be. “If it were not for the Russian offensive war, I would say that people long for nightlife and will come.” Today, that trust has been lost.
This article was originally written in German.
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