CULTURE

Berlin has a rich, varied and creative cultural scene which gives the city an unmistakable character.

The city is Germany's most important theatrical hub and one of the most vibrant in Europe. It has three opera houses and around 150 theatres and stages showing a wide variety of productions including classical opera, revue, light theatre and dance theatre. It also accommodates independent theatre groups and children's theatre.

Valuable collections from every epoch of human history are on display in over 170 museums, including the several UNESCO world heritage museums which belong to the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Foundation for Prussian Heritage).

Alongside the orchestras of the three opera houses, there are four major ensembles, including the outstanding Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, who appear at the excellent venues of the Philharmonie on Kemper Platz and the Konzerthaus on the Gendarmenmarkt.

In addition to the established cultural spectrum, the city is home to a creative scene made up of independent groups and a dense network of galleries, literary establishments, libraries, cinemas and venues. Every district is represented.

Numerous festivals, such as the Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), the Berliner Festspiele and the Theatertreffen, and events like the Love Parade and the Karneval der Kulturen provide Berliners and their guests with thrills and entertainment throughout the year.