In a dramatic turn of events in Berlin’s vibrant Schöneberg district, artists have begun to withdraw from performances at the renowned Metropol venue. This stems from accusations against Henning Conle, the owner, regarding his alleged financial support to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, amounting to a staggering €2.35 million.
Details surrounding the donation suggest it was funneled through a convoluted method known as a “straw man donation.” In this instance, the money was reportedly channelled via Gerhard Dingler, an Austrian politician affiliated with the Freedom Party (FPÖ), obscuring Conle’s direct connection to the controversial party.
As a result, many artists are choosing to boycott the club, highlighting the ideological rift between Conle and Metropol’s operational ethos. Although he owns the venue, Conle is not involved with its daily management, which falls under Zarya International. Managing director Beatrice Adasz expressed the organisation’s staunch opposition to the AfD’s views, stating: “Our programme is diverse, queer-oriented, and anti-racist. We distance ourselves from the policies of the AfD and stand clearly against racism, sexism, and homophobia.”
Accusations have emerged against Henning Conle, owner of Berlin’s Metropol, alleging a €2.35 million donation to the far-right AfD party. This controversy has led to artists cancelling performances at the venue, highlighting the strong opposition to the AfD’s views from the venue’s management, Zarya International, which promotes diversity and inclusivity.
The allegations surrounding Henning Conle’s financial ties to the AfD have sparked significant backlash in Berlin’s artistic community, forcing artists to cancel performances at Metropol in solidarity against extremist ideologies. This illustrates the deep disconnection between the venue’s operational values and its owner’s political affiliations. The refusal to associate with the AfD’s views remains a powerful statement within the vibrant cultural fabric of Schöneberg.
Original Source: www.the-berliner.com
