Akademie der Künste

Akademie der Künste review

The Akademie der Künste was founded by Prince Friedrich III in 1696, and is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Berlin. By 1938, however, the Nazis had forced virtually all of its prominent members into exile. It was re-established in West Berlin in 1954, in this fine new building by Werner Duttmann, to serve as 'a community of exceptional artists' from around the world. Apart from performances of 20th-century compositions, its programme offers a variety of other events, from jazz and poetry readings to film screenings and art exhibitions. Although portions of the now-reunified Akademie have moved into a new building at its pre-war address on Pariser Platz, most performances and exhibitions remain here at Hanseatenweg.