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Cultural sovereignty of the federal states

German federalism is also reflected in culture: It is funded regionally and therefore boasts unparalleled diversity.
Orchester
© dpa

Germany’s federal structure also contributes to the richness and diversity of the country’s cultural landscape. Since its foundation in 1949 and reunification in 1990, the Federal Republic has consciously drawn on its federal traditions and handed over responsibility for culture to the states. In the past, Germany was made up of many free cities and small and me­dium-sized states. One remnant of this former structure are the 140 or so city and state theatres, 200 private theatres and 130 professional orchestras Orchestras There are around 130 German professional orchestras, first and foremost among them the Berlin- Philharmonic, the Berlin Staatskapelle,  the Gewandhausorchester, the Bamberg Symphonic and the Munich Philharmonic Read more › , some of which are connected to public broadcasters. Over 7,200 museums and exhib­ition halls make up an unparalleled museum sector. In addition there are world-famous cultural events across the whole country. These include Berlin Berlin Once a year, during the Berlinale film festival, the world of the silver screen focuses its attention on Berlin. And the city’s inhabitants are used to global interest. After all, the people of Berlin have lived in a capital city since 1458. However, there is also a shady side to the city’s history… Read more › ’s international film festival, the Berlinale, the Bayreuth Festival, the Frankfurt Book Fair Frankfurt Book Fair The International Frankfurt Book Fair has taken place every autumn since 1949 and is the outstanding annual international book trade get-together. The highpoint of every book fair is the award-giving ceremony for the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, which has been won by the likes of Margaret… Read more › and Rock am Ring.