In 1923, inflation swept through Germany. Having no money led to the odd mixture of despair and manic festivity that led to Berlin’s artistic, musical, and literary renaissance.
Theater
Das Proletarische Theater (The Proletarian Theater) was founded by Erwin Piscator in 1920. Piscator used theater as a way to keep the working middle class Germans from their depression and prepare them for the coming "socialist revolution".
Kurt Weill came up with the “Singspiel” (song play) and introduced German audiences to the musical as we know it today. Although Kurt Weill was very popular he was a Jew. When the Nazis came to power Weill came to America where he continued to be very successful.
Music
As in America, jazz music was very popular in Berlin during the 20s. Josephine Baker, and African-American singer, caused a sensation in Berlin with her overtly sexual “banana dance.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1tVgzMy5dY&feature=related
Classical music also flourished during the 1920s. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was under the leadership of conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, a very creative and passionate man.
Art
In Art, DaDaism was a controversial and exciting movement in Berlin during the 1920's. DaDaism used collage and photomontage techniques. Many DaDa works were overtly political. The majority of DaDaists denounced the Prussian government and were anti-capitalistic. Prominent DaDaists included artists Hans Richter, George Grosz, and Raoul Hausmann.
Writers
The most influential book in Germany in the 1920’s was “All Quiet on the Western Front.” Written by Erich Maria Remarque. Erich was a young veteran of the German Army in World War I. His book is about the horror of the war and the sense of utter defeat felt by many Germans. His book has become one of the most read novels of all time.
Art and Culture in Berlin Today
Theater
Berlin is world famous for their status as film festival capital of Europe. They are third behind Cannes and Venice. Berlin's and one of Germany's most famous theatre companies, the Berliner Ensemble, was founded by Bertolt Brecht. Today it still is producing great theater
Music
Peter Fox belongs to the band Seeed but he has gone solo and has became very popular. Culcha Candela is a famous dancehall group.
Art
Berlin attracts artists from all over the world. Berlin's annual art trade fair has made the city a melting pot of the international art market.
Berlin is once again the city where trends are put in motion and is fast becoming one of Europe's art capitals.
Writers
Günter Kunert has written in nearly every literary genre, including literary criticism, short stories, television plays, and poetry. Kunert's most recent poem is So und nich anders, which he wrote in 2002.
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