Berlin's iconic techno music has officially been added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. It was nominated by the German Ministry of Culture in recognition of its contribution to the city's cultural identity.
The journey to secure this accolade for techno culture and music spanned over a decade, as reported by The Guardian. Leading the charge was Rave the Planet, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electronic music culture. They submitted a proposal to include techno in the UNESCO heritage list in November 2022.
"We congratulate all creators of culture who have shaped and contributed to the development of Berlin's technoculture. This is an important milestone for the entire culture, and our joy cannot be expressed in words," the organization said in a statement.
The Clubcommission, a network of Berlin techno clubs, also reacted to this decision, calling it "another important milestone for Berlin's techno producers, artists, club operators and event organizers".
"This decision will help us ensure that club culture is recognized as a valuable sector that deserves protection and support," added Lutz Leichsenring, a Clubcommission board member.
Alongside Berlin techno, the German UNESCO commission recognized five additional traditions for the national intangible cultural heritage list. These include the singing tradition of Finsterwalde, a winter parade in Bavaria featuring participants in furry monster costumes, Hesse tapestries, Viez apple cider, and Saxony mountaineering.
In total, to date, the German UNESCO list has 150 items.
