Reports on the situation in Europe++

Following the plenary assembly for a beautiful life at the beginning of the year, cultural workers from North Rhine-Westphalia continued to network with colleagues from other European countries. Their goal: to keep an eye on worrying developments in politics and society across borders, to remain capable of speaking out and taking action, to support each other, and to practise resistance. It is high time to come together again and assess the situation. Because it is serious and requires us to stay on the ball – critically, in solidarity and, above all, together.

What are the shifts and changes in cultural politics a symptom of?
What broader and long-term political and social transformation processes do they point to?
How do systemic and symbolic changes impact the cultural sphere, its order, organisation and practices?
How do the conditions of artistic, educational and social work change under late capitalist, neo-fascist, far- or alt-right and libertarian-authoritarian regimes?
What strategies of resistance, protest, subversion and critique exist and develop in this context?

The Embassy brings together cultural practitioners from ten European regions to promote cross-linguistic and cross-national understanding of current cultural policy developments in Europe. The focus is on the question of whether and how reactionary and anti-democratic tendencies are affecting the arts, education and social affairs, and what strategies exist to maintain the critical and affirmative capacity for action in these areas.

Please note:
The main working language of The Embassy will be English, translation from and into other languages can be arranged spontaneously and according to the skills and competencies of the assembly.

10:00–14:00

The public event in the morning is dedicated to the ambassadors' reports on the current situation. Their contributions will gradually paint a picture of the landscape through which the participants will move together in search of analytical clarity and alliances based on solidarity.

15:00–17:30

In the afternoon, the assembly will hold a public discussion with all interested parties about the shared challenges, possible courses of action and glimmers of hope.