Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen

ifa blog

Interviews, essays, reports and videos

The ifa blog takes a lively look at the many different areas of ifa's work and international cultural relations.

The blog articles can be filtered by topic, such as human rights, civil society, media, and (post-)colonialism, as well as by contributions from ifa's individual projects, such as exhibition funding, the Martin Roth Initiative's protection programme or the CrossCulture programme.

Essay The illustration shows a woman surrounded by explosions. Notes and writing can been seen shining trough her shirt.

Heckling From the Balcony

By Andrea Grill

No one will write a book or conduct a scientific study while bullets are flying around them. Nevertheless, culture enables people to endure the unendurable. It enables them not only to accept it, but also to think and live beyond it.
Essay A woman dressed in French clothing and a man dressed in Arabic clothing shake hands on a bridge, an archway bears the French flag, illustration: edeos

A gateway to two worlds

By Julie Chénot

For the last 2,600 years, the Marseille-Provence region has been involved in economic, political and social exchanges. As ‘European Capital of Culture’ in 2013, it will be extending a hand across the Mediterranean towards North Africa. How are things going to play out in light of the volatile situation in these countries?
Essay Rock face in the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan, onto which a projector beams an image of a Buddha statue that no longer exists, illustration: edeos

Afghanistan and Beyond

By Jemima Montagu

Cultural activity supported by foreign governments is barely visible in Afghanistan. Given the poor results of military engagement in establishing security and peace, civil society and initiatives in the arts and culture should be strengthened.
Essay Illustration antiker Säulen mit den Inschriften "Sicherheit", "Wirtschaft" und "Kultur", die Säule "Kultur" ist abgebrochen. Illustration: edeos

Now is the Time

By Robert Palmer

Europe’s place in the world is not solely decided by the military or the economy. The geopolitical situation in the 21st century requires a revival of cultural diplomacy with a multilateral approach. It should not only communicate messages and symbolism but also build trust.
Essay Facade with many different windows, illustration: edeos

It’s good to be different

By Mike Hardy

Science, democracy and universal values are not superior because Europeans are their pioneers, but because these ideas and philosophies from the European Renaissance and Enlightenment are superior. Arguing this way invites accusations of ‘Eurocentrism’.
Fachartikel Chest for dowry, here a globe, surrounded by the stars of the European Union, illustration: edeos

Europe’s dowry

By Farid Tabarki and Rindert de Groot

Europe was overwhelmed when the Arab spring of 2011 led to thousands of migrants from North Africa landing on Italy’s shores. The continent that invented humanism battened down the hatches. But European values are not inextricably linked to being physically part of the continent. How can these values help Europe to develop globally?
Essay Posters and banners with slogans in different languages, illustration: edeos

Seizing the day

By André Azoulay

The pictures of the Arab spring have all served to present us with a new image of the Arab people. They have stood up for their basic rights, without cloaking them in religion or aggression – and demands the departure of the old despots. This is presenting new opportunities for dialogue with Europe. How should we conduct it?
Essay Two men pushing large Euro coin in opposite directions, Illustration: picture alliance / Ikon Images | Gary Waters

All talk and no action

By Mai’a K. Davis Cross

Euro-pessimism is on the rise in the United States. Large numbers of Americans think that the political, economic, and cultural foundations of Europe are crumbling, and there is widespread talk, even amongst “experts”, of how the adoption of the common currency was a mistake. Why we have so little faith in Europe?
Essay | from our archives Illustration: European flag with socket and wires.

Europe’s Forgotten Fringes

By Jurko Prochasko

The countries on Europe’s eastern fringes demonstrate that not all Europe is the same. Their affiliation to the continent is underpinned by history, however. Is there a common European cultural policy that supports their integration?