Culture in danger: Drastic cuts threaten Saxony's literature and art

Culture in danger: Drastic cuts threaten Saxony's literature and art

On June 8, 2025, the discussion about cultural funding in Saxony is more heated than ever. The state government has presented a budget cut for 2025 and 2026 that affects all departments. Cultural institutions, associations and initiatives are particularly hard hit, as l-iz.de reports. The already low level of funding for literature is facing further threats, which is alarming the Leipzig regional group in the PEN Center Germany. Benedikt Dyrlich, spokesman for the PEN grassroots group, warns that the cuts could endanger the diversity of Saxony's cultural landscape.

Discussions with MPs and cultural representatives reveal widespread concern about the impact of these cuts. The grant for the Saxon Cultural Foundation is to be returned to the budget level of 2015. This would have a massive impact on the promotion of cabaret projects, film, libraries and socioculture, especially in rural areas. In addition, two literary magazines in Leipzig and Dresden are under immediate threat, which could further restrict cultural diversity.

Cultural support and government priorities

Despite the cuts in the areas of culture and art, the Saxon Cabinet emphasizes that the priorities are in the areas of culture and tourism. The government draft for the double budget 2025/26, as medienservice.sachsen.de reports, stipulates that cultural areas will receive the same funding as in 2024. This corresponds to around 104 million euros.

A cultural pact for nine community theaters and orchestras will be continued with around 9 million euros. In addition, 1.4 million euros will be made available for cultural education and 7.87 million euros for music schools. However, it should be noted that the funding of the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony for 2025 will be 1.7 million euros, which means 750,000 euros less compared to 2024.

Resistance and demands from the cultural sector

The spokespersons for the Leipzig group in the PEN are therefore calling for a reversal of the coalition of CDU and SPD in cultural funding and asking that the proposed changes from the democratic opposition in the Saxon state parliament be taken into account. This political debate is not only limited to financial resources, but also affects the first state goal of the Saxon constitution, which defines Saxony as a social constitutional state.

In summary, it can be seen that the targeted cuts in the areas of culture and art will have a profound impact on cultural life in Saxony. It remains to be seen whether resistance from cultural workers and the population can bring about changes in budget planning.