The Freedom of Art in Times of War and Crisis

Akademie der Künste, Plenary Hall
Pariser Platz 4, 10117 Berlin (Germany)
Free Admission

In light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing political, economic and social crises, Alliance members will discuss the impact of this war on artistic freedom in Europe. How are the working conditions of artists changing? What can artists contribute to peace? What opportunities does the digital space offer? New strategies for European unification and cooperation will be discussed in lectures and debates.

Two public debates will explore the questions of artistic freedom between repression and resistance and the freedom of art in times of war and crisis. With amongst others, Olena Balun, Hanna Bilobrova, Ferenc Czinki, Wolfgang Kaleck, A.L. Kennedy, Sergei Loznitsa, Leszek Koczanowicz, Jeanine Meerapfel, Robert Menasse, Andres Veiel, Iris ter Shiphorst, Cécile Wajsbrot as well as Minister of State for Culture and Media Claudia Roth (online) and UN Special Rapporteur for Culture Alexandra Xanthaki (online) and Thomas Krüger, President of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb). Music by Floros Floridis and AoA Impro Group.

Since its founding in October 2020 in Berlin on the initiative of Akademie President Jeanine Meerapfel, the European Alliance of Academies has been committed to freedom of the arts in Europe. With declarations, petitions, events and in discussion with political stakeholders, the European Alliance raises awareness about cultural policy shortcomings in a shared commitment to strengthening an open, solidary-based and democratic Europe.

As a means of furthering the artistic collaboration in the network, the European Alliance of Academies has developed the digital platform LOOM – Interweaving the Arts in Europe and present some of artwork as a video projection.

See public programme for details

*Preliminary Programme – subject to change