Berlin's Cultural Life and Festivals

Berlin is noted for its numerous cultural institutions, many of which enjoy international reputation. The diversity and vivacity of the German metropolis led to a trendsetting image among major cities. Many young people and international artists continue to settle in the city, and Berlin has established itself as a centre of youth and popular culture in Europe.

Berlin busts the myth that made people call Germany a militaristic and conservative country. The cultural life and the festivals are really intense. The city is an important centre in the European and

German film industry. It is home to more than 1000 film and television production companies, 270 movie theatres, and around 300 national and international co-productions are filmed in the region every year. Berlin is also home of the European Film Academy and the German Film Academy, and hosts the annual Berlin Film Festival (known worldwide as the Berlinale). Founded in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978. With over 430,000 admissions it is the largest publicly attended film festival in the world.

Berlin's night life is one of the most diverse and vibrant of its kind in Europe. Throughout the 1990s, people in their twenties from many countries, particularly those in Eastern and Central Europe, made Berlin's club scene the premier night life destination of Europe. Berlin is notable for the length of its parties. Clubs are not required to close at a fixed time on the weekends, and many parties last well into the morning, or all weekend. Berghain features the Panorama Bar, so named because the bar opens its shades at daybreak, allowing party-goers a panorama view of Berlin after dancing through the night.

With so many cultural features in Berlin, the cheap international calls to Germany are often mentioning Berlin.