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Abuse of power and attacks on the Volksbühne in Berlin (archive image)?
Photo: Paul Zinken / dpa
After a newspaper report about the abuse of power and abusive behavior at the Berlin Volksbühne, the Senate Department for Culture is investigating the allegations against the artistic director Klaus Dörr.
If the allegations are confirmed, all legal options will be exhausted, it said in a message.
According to a report by the »taz«, several women complained about Dörr.
A spokeswoman for the theater announced that the 60-year-old is firmly against the allegations and will not comment publicly on legal advice at this point in time.
The »taz« named various misconducts against women, the Senate Administration spoke of specific allegations that existed - but did not provide any details.
The Berliner Volksbühne is one of the most important theaters in the country.
Dörr took over the management three years ago after quarrels about his predecessor.
After the turbulent times, he was supposed to temporarily run the theater while the director search was ongoing.
The director René Pollesch should take over the house in a few months.
First concrete allegations in January
In January, concrete allegations against Dörr were presented for the first time in a letter from the Themis trust agency to Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer (Linke), according to the statement from the Senate Administration.
A conversation had been held with the women.
Dörr was heard at the beginning of March.
“The hearing is still being evaluated and further discussions will follow.
The process is not complete. "
Lederer went on to say: "Thanks to the #MeToo debate, social sensitivity to abuse of power, sexism, racism and other forms of discrimination in cultural institutions has grown overall and their structural dimension has come into public focus."
Under the keyword #MeToo there is a debate about abuse, power relations and sexism.
The Themis trust agency has existed in Germany since autumn 2018.
People from film and television, from theaters and orchestras can seek advice there.
Themis is supported by several associations.
In the first year and a half, 255 people reported to the contact point.
The board does not want to comment on specific individual cases.
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bbr / dpa