During the Nazi era, German culture was abused, misinterpreted and stripped of many of its non-Aryan elements. This meant that when the Second World War ended, Berlin was a city lacking a dynamic and multifaceted cultural life. The Berliner Festspiele, founded in 1951, was an answer to this. Throughout the year, world-class orchestras, musicians, artists and actors are invited to Berlin to exhibit their talents. The Haus der Berliner Festspiele hosts lectures, concerts (mostly classical and jazz), theatrical performances and exhibitions at different locations throughout the city.