The new measures to contain the corona also include the closure of cinemas and theaters. This has met with criticism from the institutions.
The federal and state governments have agreed on new corona measures and thus a partial lockdown. Cultural venues such as theaters, operas, concert halls or cinemas have to close from next Monday (November 2nd) until the end of the month. In the cultural sector, there is concern about the renewed closings: The Main Association of German Film Theaters warns of the potentially fatal effects on the cinema industry.
"The renewed four-week partial lockdown (…) will cost other houses their existence. We will close this cinema year with losses of around one billion euros (including concessions). That cannot be tolerated," says Christine Berg, CEO of Main association of film theaters. There was not a single known Covid case in the cinema worldwide. "We are stunned." The association has "no longer any understanding at all for the constant ups and downs of the measures taken." For six months they have been working with detailed security concepts, large rooms, modern ventilation systems and only 25 percent capacity utilization. "Now the state must quickly provide unbureaucratic and transparent aid and take everyone with it."
The arthouse cinema association also spoke of a "painful" decision. "What makes us sad: That no one has made up their minds to find a differentiated view of culture," explained Christian Bräuer from the AG Kino in a first statement. The theater industry also fears the renewed lockdown. The artistic ensembles of the major theaters in Munich had already spoken out against closure before the measures were taken: "We think it is wrong to ban cultural events. You are ignoring the measures that Bavarian theaters have been taking for months to keep spectators open We want to play. We have to play! ", it says in a letter.
Musicians support the event industry
The fact that the appeal and the statements must be tightened in view of the massive threats to the existence of the culture industry has also established itself in the music world. "Obviously, politics slept through the summer. A lockdown and opening strategy in black and white is simply not enough," said Toten-Hosen frontman Campino (58) at a demo in Berlin this Wednesday. Trumpeter Till Brönner published an appeal via Instagram video: "If an entire profession is forced by law to stop its work to protect the general public, then the general public must ensure that people are still there after Corona," said the musician.