homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Germany unveils $54 billion aid package for cultural sector hit by coronavirus

All cultural institutions are closed until April 19 across the country.

Fermin Koop
March 26, 2020 @ 5:29 pm

share Share

Under a lockdown to stop the spread of the virus, activities have stopped in many countries as people are asked to stay at home. This is having a strong impact on all sorts of businesses, now closed down, and has led to governments to provide different types of financial support.

Credit Wikipedia Commons

In Germany, all cultural institutions will remain closed until April 19, including cinemas, theaters, and concerts, just to name a few. Trying to help out the sector, the national government has decided to step in with a $54 billion aid package that will be available for small businesses and self-employed workers.

“We know the hardships, we know the desperation,” said culture minister Monika Grütters in a statement. “The cultural sector, in particular, is characterized by a high proportion of self-employed people who now have problems with their livelihoods. The government is aware of the importance of the creative industries.”

The aid package will come in the form of grants, designed to help with overhead costs such as venue rentals and artists studios. There will also be loans to help businesses bridge financial bottlenecks. The funding will support not only arts-related individuals and organizations but also media organizations.

As well as providing them with funding, the German government will give freelancers social security benefits for six months, including unemployment insurance. Expenses for housing will also be recognized with an extra 11 billion in support. Tenants will also be protected from eviction if they can’t pay rent and loans.

The government already opened applications for the aid package, which is estimated to have a positive effect on the whole cultural sector. Other countries and cities are following the same path. England’s art council announced a $190 million aid package, for example.

“Our democratic society needs its unique and diverse cultural and media landscape in this historical situation, which was unimaginable until recently,” said Grütters. “The creative courage of creative people can help to overcome the crisis. We should seize every opportunity to create good things for the future.”

So far, Germany has 36.000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 198 fatalities. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that 60 to 70 percent of the population could contract the disease. The government imposed strict lockdown measures last week in an effort to contain the virus. Berlin has closed theaters, state operas, and concert halls until further notice. Many clubs — including hotspot Berghain — are closed until mid-April. Museums in Germany have also closed, with major public programs canceled.

share Share

Superbugs are the latest crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Researchers found an alarming rise in antibiotic-resistant infections among children.

What happens in your brain when your mind goes completely blank — neuroscientists say it's a distinct mental state

Mind blanking isn’t daydreaming. It's something more akin to meditation — but not quite the same.

The World's Oldest Known Ant Is A 113-Million-Year-Old Hell Ant with Scythe Jaws

A remarkable find for ant history was made, not in the field but in a drawer.

Your Cells Can Hear You — And It Could Be Important for Fat Cells

Researchers explore the curious relationship between sound and gene expression in cell cultures.

16,000-Year-Old Dog-Like Skeleton Found in France Raises Haunting Questions

Cared for like a companion, or killed like prey?

Japanese Scientists Just Summoned Lightning with a Drone. Here’s Why

The drone is essentially a mobile, customizable, lightning rod.

Tiny Chinese Satellite Sent Hack-Proof Quantum Messages 12,900 Kilometers Through Space. Is a Quantum Internet Around the Corner?

The US and Europe are now racing to catch up to China.

Cats Came Bearing Gods: Religion and Trade Shaped the Rise of the Domestic Cat in Europe

Two groundbreaking studies challenge the old narrative that cats followed early farmers into Europe.

The People of Carthage Weren’t Who We Thought They Were

The Punic people had almost no genetic ties to Phoenicians, even though the latter founded the great city of Carthage.

RFK Jr loves raw milk. Now, he's suspending milk quality tests due to Trump cuts

Imagine pouring a glass of milk for your child and wondering if it’s safe.