Kunst für Demokratie - Eine Veranstaltung zum 8. Mai | Ruhrfestspiele 2025
In the organizer's words:
The RuhrBühnen network in cooperation with the German Stage Association
Germany was liberated from fascism on May 8, 1945. To mark this historic date, the RuhrBühnen and the German Stage Association are hosting a panel discussion as part of the Ruhr Festival to shed light on the relationship between art and democracy in times of increasingly anti-democratic, right-wing and far-right developments in the present. With a welcoming address by Garrelt Duin, Director of the Ruhr Regional Association, and a brief introduction by Ruhrfestspiele Director Olaf Kröck. Documentary filmmaker Grit Lemke and the artistic directors Julia Wissert (Schauspiel Dortmund), Selen Kara (Schauspiel Essen) and Kathrin Mädler (Theater Oberhausen) will take part in the panel discussion. The evening will be moderated by Prasanna Oommen.
What do current political trends mean for artistic work in the Ruhr region - and what can we learn from developments in eastern Germany? How can artistic projects contribute beyond their own political bubble to people critically examining the values and developments of our society, perceiving other perspectives and thinking beyond their own imagination? Where are the limits of dialog?
May 8 reminds us of the consequences of an ideology that brought war and destruction to Europe. At the same time, today's anniversary also stands for a time of new beginnings - for freedom, peace and reconciliation. Olaf Kröck, director of the Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen and one of the two speakers of the RuhrBühnen, will reflect on the relationship between art and democracy in a keynote speech.
A subsequent panel discussion will address the question of what role right-wing perspectives can play in artistic programs, what a theater for the majority society can look like in the future and where the limits of a democratic diversity of perspectives lie.
Author and documentary filmmaker Grit Lemke, who grew up in Hoyerswerda, Saxony, will report from an artistic perspective on dealing with right-wing extremism in a region where over 40 percent of people voted right-wing in the federal elections in February 2025. Julia Wissert (Director of Schauspiel Dortmund), Selen Kara (Director of Schauspiel Essen) and Kathrin Mädler (Director of Theater Oberhausen) will discuss developments in the Ruhr region and the influence of new political forces on art and cultural policy.
Price information:
Registration via the Ruhrfestspiele ticket office at kartenstelle(at)ruhrfestspiele.de
Location
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