Rammstein tour July 2023: A fan reacts to the demonstration “No Rammstein concert in Berlin!”.
Photo: dpa/Fabian Sommer
Almost a year ago, the Berlin band Rammstein hit the headlines. A suspected system was set up around frontman Till Lindemann that was supposed to give him physical access to concert participants. Several people told the media that they had been victims of sexual violence and spoke of abuse of power by the cult figure Lindemann.
How could such a system exist for years without becoming known to the public? Beyond the band Rammstein, the question of gaps in protection against sexual violence and the responsibility of the cultural industry was raised. A parliamentary question from the Green faction in the House of Representatives suggests that almost a year later the Berlin Senate only sees it as necessary to a limited extent to take action.
The answers show that the Senate is seeking improvements for events organized by or with the support of the State of Berlin, including major events such as the Carnival of Cultures. The same applies to events that take place on state-owned land: such as the Olympic Stadium, where Rammstein gave three concerts less than two months after the allegations.
But “in the area of concerts in the private sector,” “no measures can be enforced,” answers the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion. Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) continues to stick to his position. In the context of the alleged incidents surrounding Rammstein, Chialo spoke out against mandatory awareness structures. Chialo told the “Taz” in July 2023: “If organizers realize that such incidents lead to fewer people coming to the concerts and the reviews are bad, then they will change things.”
Bahar Haghanipour, spokeswoman for women’s policy and equality for the Green parliamentary group, asked the Senate about political measures to protect against violence. “Instead of seriously dealing with discrimination-sensitive protection against violence, Senator Chialo rests on the organizers’ personal responsibility,” criticizes Haghanipour.
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The Senate has resources in its hands: “Concrete minimum standards for the protection of vulnerable groups in security concepts, training courses, the promotion of awareness measures. And last but not least, consistent checks on security measures in the state’s own venues.« Haghanipour speaks of a structural problem of discrimination, attacks and sexual violence.
However, the Senate notes that a majority of the organizers have taken on the topic and developed corresponding concepts. “Awareness teams and safe spaces are common measures for most event organizers as part of their respective security concepts.” With a view to the creation of these concepts, the Senate assesses the responsibility of cultural institutions to be appropriate.
As a result of the reporting, some business partners distanced themselves from Rammstein GbR. Criminal proceedings against Lindemann were dropped in August 2023 because none of the people who had previously spoken to journalists testified to the public prosecutor.
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