Matze Hielscher: “Berlin is over, Berlin is really over”

In his podcast, he speaks with Germany's most interesting celebrities. Now, the host of his show "Hotel Matze" has declared: "It's over with Berlin." But how could that happen? Mathias "Matze" Hielscher, born in Elsterwerda, is a German media entrepreneur ("Mit Vergnügen"), podcaster, author, and former indie band member. The last episode of his successful podcast featured Philip Siefer, founder of the condom manufacturer Einhorn. But the host also makes some serious announcements himself:

"It used to be dirty and littered at Schlesisches Tor . We said all the party tourists were making everything dirty. But now, even in neighborhoods where mostly Berliners live, there are piss-soaked mattresses and damn dog poop bags hanging from power poles—'How stupid can you be?' And everyone just leaves their trash out there."

People are disfiguring their own city. For the podcaster, this is a sign that the people who live here no longer love their city. And that's why Berlin is "over." Hielscher has lived in the capital for many years, which currently lacks a narrative. Berlin no longer has a history. "We're not as hip anymore, no longer awake for three days, no longer poor or sexy. We're just like, 'What is this, anyway?'"

That's why people today prefer to travel to Paris or Copenhagen. Berlin needs something new to tell. Philip Siefer, a guest on one of Germany's most-listened to interview podcasts, tries to counter this: "I absolutely love Berlin. My wife doesn't want to leave either." But even he can't ignore some of the problems.

Is Berlin really so broken? Matze Hielscher's dissertation is reminiscent of sociologist Heinz Bude, who said something similar to the Berliner Zeitung this year: "Berlin is burned out." One must have a concept of the city, but: "This concrete concept no longer exists for Berlin. The city no longer knows what it is for itself; its need for interpretation is enormous. At the moment, the city is merely a showcase for others."

Sociologist Bude concluded with a bold thesis: "I believe, for example, that the city needs to become more expensive. It's too easy to just hang around here without a long-term interest in the city. It's still too cheap here." Does Hielscher agree?