Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof museum held its first-ever gala to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The event featured a curated program of performances, including a participatory installation by artist duo Elmgreen and Dragset titled "Performing Yourself" and a mirrored neon work by Monica Bonvicini. High-profile guests like Cate Blanchett, Matt Dillon, Wim Wenders, and Nina Hoss attended the evening, which blended traditional gala elements with Berlin-specific cultural touchstones like techno, cabaret, and performances by artists such as Ellen Allien and Alice Sara Ott.
The gala served as both a celebration and a critical fundraising effort for Berlin's cultural sector, which faces severe public funding cuts of approximately €130 million. Spearheaded by directors and patrons, the event was a deliberate call to action for private support in a city where rapid gentrification and shrinking public funds threaten museums and artists. It aimed to balance the city's iconic, scrappy artistic identity with the necessity of attracting major donors, reflecting a pivotal moment for Berlin's cultural survival.