- Oyoun has to leave the cultural center
Operator facing antisemitism allegations must vacate cultural center in Berlin-Neukölln by end of the year. The cultural hub at Lucy-Lameck Street will be re-tendered, with a new operator and concept set to launch on January 1, 2025. This is according to a response from the cultural administration to a parliamentary inquiry by The Left, first reported by the newspaper "nd". The tender is expected to take place late summer, with a decision on the new operator anticipated in late autumn 2024.
"The decision to seek a new operating concept for the cultural center at Lucy-Lameck Street aligns with the state's interest in cultural offerings and cultural education that broaden, rather than narrow, the diversity of cultural and political discussion spaces," the cultural administration of Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) stated in its response. "Cultural creators in Berlin are invited to apply for this tender."
Funding stopped prematurely
In late 2023, the cultural administration halted the payment of millions in funding earmarked for Oyoun, which was supposed to continue until the end of 2025. This was due, in part, to allegations of antisemitic sentiments at an event held in Oyoun's premises in November 2023.
Oyoun has filed lawsuits against the funding stoppage, both with the Administrative Court and the Higher Administrative Court, without success. However, in July, the Constitutional Court overturned the Higher Administrative Court's March ruling and remanded the case. The association argued that its legal rights had been violated, a stance supported by the constitutional judges. However, they explicitly left open the question of whether Oyoun has a claim to further funding.
Re-tendering independent of legal proceedings
The re-tendering of the cultural center is taking place independently of the ongoing legal proceedings, according to the cultural administration. The state has also filed an eviction lawsuit against Oyoun. According to the cultural administration, the project has refused to vacate the state-owned premises since the turn of the year.
Oyoun describes its mission as "reimagining, developing, and implementing artistic-cultural projects through decolonial, queer*feminist, and migrant perspectives". The institution, or the non-profit society Kultur NeuDenken, received around one million euros from the state of Berlin in 2023, according to earlier statements by the cultural administration. A funding application for 2024 of a similar amount was rejected.
The cultural creators in Berlin are encouraged to apply for the re-tendering of the cultural centre, which will replace the operation led by the accused entity. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the cultural administration has confirmed that the re-tendering process for the cultural centre at Lucy-Lameck Street is separate.
