Who answers the big questions, Michael Kellner?

Mr Kellner, which creative business product currently enriches your everyday life the most?

The classic book. I'm a big bookworm, and I devoured my favourite book "Machandel" by Regina Scheer. I recently read "The Anomaly" by Hervé le Tellier. I also really enjoyed it. To counter the stress of everyday life, I enjoy playing games on the Playstation with my children. Our favourite games are cooperative games like "It Takes Two" or "Overcooked".

Germany is an export-orientated industrial location, an engineering-driven high-tech country. What role do the creative industries play in this country today and in the future?

The cultural and creative industries are the second largest economic sector in Germany after the automotive industry. Around two million people work in the various sectors. There is no doubt that the creative industries play a very important role in Germany and will continue to do so in the future. The industry has long been calling for a contact person in the federal government and I think it is right that this position is located in the Ministry of Economic Affairs. After all, Germany doesn't just produce cars and machines, but also cultural and creative goods, which contribute just as much to the gross domestic product and have a great external impact.

In Hamburg, the Cross Innovation Hub supports collaboration between companies and creatives in order to initiate and drive innovation. What contribution can the creative industries make to a new, sustainable innovation ecosystem?

In order to remain fit for the future, new paths must be taken and demonstrated. This is precisely where the strength of the cultural and creative industries lies, especially in the area of non-technical innovations. We are becoming increasingly digital, increasingly fast-moving. Who better to deal with this than creative minds who are constantly trying things out and reinventing themselves. The creative industries have long been in the process of becoming more climate-neutral and environmentally friendly. I see a lot of potential in the circular economy in particular. What should the products of tomorrow look like so that we use as few resources as possible and the ones we use are as durable as possible? A lot is happening in design and architecture. Other sub-sectors such as the film and music industries are also increasingly focussing on innovative, ecological concepts.

What are the current and future challenges facing the creative industries in Germany?

In the cultural sector, it is becoming more challenging to attract skilled labour or workers - or simply to retain them. Many companies are unable to find suitable trainees, which means that the next generation is largely absent. We need to think together about how the sector can continue to be an attractive employer and which framework conditions need to be improved. The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that many creative professionals have been forced to look for other work because they are no longer receiving orders. Not all of them have returned to their old jobs. In addition, there are many solo freelancers in the creative sector, from sound engineers to small artists. The pandemic has exacerbated their patchy economic and social security. Concerns about poverty in old age are very real for the solo self-employed. The rise in energy prices due to the Russian war of aggression has also put pressure on the cultural and creative industries. Cinemas, theatres and clubs have to expend a lot of energy and creativity to cushion these price increases. Not everyone will be able to do this, as they lack the reserves after the pandemic years.

What is the federal government planning to do to support the creative industries in overcoming these challenges?

The cultural and creative industries attract many lateral entrants, including from abroad. With the new skilled labour strategy, the federal government is not only providing targeted support for training and further education here in Germany. Immigration regulations are also being modernised. In future, we will recognise on-the-job qualifications. Anyone who can prove that they have two years of relevant professional experience for their future job will be allowed to immigrate to Germany - even if this profession has nothing to do with their original training. We also want to improve the situation for solo self-employed people in the cultural and creative industries. To this end, we will commission a broad-based study this year from which we can derive concrete measures. A first step towards better protection was the introduction of the Citizen's Income 2022. With the secured protected assets and the extended waiting period, the risk of ending up in poverty in old age is lower for cultural professionals. The German government has already introduced several relief packages to curb the rise in energy costs. In addition to the gas and electricity price brake, which has been in effect since February, we are providing one billion euros in a special energy fund specifically for cultural institutions and cultural organisers. The first applications for support can already be submitted. This applies retroactively from January 2023.