Stuttgart/Berlin, 24.02.2022 – In light of Russia's inhumane war of aggression against Ukraine, Minister of Arts Theresia Bauer and State Secretary of Arts Petra Olschowski jointly appealed to the arts scene in Baden-Württemberg to continue cooperation with Ukrainian partner institutions and freelance artists as best they can. This applies both to initiatives in Ukraine as well as to those in Baden-Württemberg.
"Creative artists and cultural workers are particularly threatened by Putin's military aggression due to often precarious incomes and the threat of political persecution," said Minister Theresia Bauer in Stuttgart on Wednesday. State Secretary Petra Olschowski added: "Especially now it is important not to break off existing contacts, but to use them for help."
"People working in the fields of arts and culture have continually championed a culture of democracy and human rights," reads a letter from the two politicians to the heads of art and cultural institutions in Baden-Württemberg along with a wide range of cultural associations. Theresia Bauer and Petra Olschowski promise that the state will take up offers of help from the cultural scene for refugee artists and their families and is working on its own funding opportunities.
In line with State Minister Claudia Roth and State Minister Katja Keul, Baden-Württemberg stands by their side. "We welcome the emergency aid for at-risk artists and cultural workers from the budget of the State Minister for Culture and Media Claudia Roth and the planned expansion of protection programmes for artists by the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock."
"Cultural Aid Ukraine": Contact point for artists
Together with ifa - Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (Institute for Foreign Relations) in Stuttgart, a contact point was established as an initial measure, which both artists from Ukraine and cultural institutions in Baden-Württemberg can use. This contact point is intended to serve as an initial helpline, offering advice and arranging further contacts in Baden-Württemberg. In the future, it is planned to of-fer exchange formats for different disciplines, as well as training and networking with diverse stakeholders and civic supporters.
Phone number: +49 711 2225-200 / E-Mail: kultur-ukraine@ifa.de
Gitte Zschoch, Secretary General of ifa, says: "We want to be a point of contact for people working in culture. Right now, the networking of civil society with art and cultural professionals is of enormous importance. It is our task, in view of the needs and hardships of people from the cultural sector, to provide concrete help together with our partners, to show solidarity with the Ukrainians and not to let the dialogue break off. Everyone can contribute here, every individual counts."
ifa - Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen is Germany's oldest intermediary organisation for international cultural relations. The ifa has a strong global reputation, helps shape the international cultural dialogue and supports cultural workers and artists who find themselves in political emergency situations.
Accommodation, networking, benefit projects, teaching formats
The goal, according to the letter from the ministry to the cultural scene, is to work together with the cultural institutions in Baden-Württemberg to help the locally displaced artists and their families practically and quickly. "We would therefore like to encourage you to let us know what possibilities you see and how the ministry can also provide support." Potential options include arranging accommodation, collaboration with local support networks, benefit events, joint artistic projects, or support for virtual teaching formats.
Press Contact
Miriam Kahrmann, +4915126455509, presse(at)ifa.de
About
ifa - Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen promotes a peaceful and enriching coexistence between people and cultures worldwide. ifa supports artistic and cultural exchange in exhibition, dialogue and conference programmes, and it acts as a centre of excellence for international cultural relations. It is part of a global network and relies on sustainable, long-term partnerships. The institute is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart. www.ifa.de/en