European Alliance of Academies
At the invitation from the Akademie der Künste, around 70 representatives of European art academies and cultural institutions gathered for a hybrid conference to initiate a "European Alliance of Academies", from 8 to 10 Oct 2020. The institutions involved come from almost every country in the European Union as well as Norway and Great Britain – a strong signal that demonstrates the need for a transnational alliance based on solidarity, especially in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and its political consequences, national delineations and right-wing populist isolationist fantasies.
Jeanine Meerapfel, Akademie der Künste, 8 Oct 2020
Robert Menasse, Akademie der Künste, 8 Oct 2020
Basil Kerski, Akademie der Künste, 8 Oct 2020
A. L. Kennedy, Akademie der Künste, 8 Oct 2020
AoA Impro Group with Floros Floridis et al.
Akademie der Künste, 9 Oct 2020
Akademie der Künste, 9 Oct 2020
Robert Menasse and Minister of State Prof. Monika Grütters
Akademie der Künste, 9.10.2020
On 10 Oct, the "European Alliance of Academies" presented a joint manifesto in Berlin, setting out the mission of securing the European Union as a cultural project for the future. New forms of cooperation are to be established that guarantee mutual support whenever there is a threat of political restrictions or the freedom of art is at risk.
Academy President Jeanine Meerapfel opened the conference on Thursday. This was followed by presentations by writers Robert Menasse and A. L. Kennedy and publicist Basil Kerski. The internal panels on Friday began with a greeting by Minister of State Prof. Monika Grütters, followed by perspective views of Europe by art historian Bénédicte Savoy and contemporary historian Philipp Ther.
Read the speeches here:
Numerous well-known personalities – Wim Wenders, Ken Loach and Andres Veiel, among others – lent their support to the "European Alliance of Academies" and used their statements to highlight the need for offensive alliances.
The following are involved in the Alliance: Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb, Széchenyi Academy of Letters and Arts, Akademie van Kunsten (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences), aber auch Circulo das Bellas Artes Madrid, The Royal Society of Literature, Villa Decius, Czech Literary Centre and many more.
Further information, programme and supporter statements available at: www.allianceofademies.eu
Sponsored by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media within the framework of the German EU Presidency
Video recordings of the conference
Opening event, 8 Oct 2020
Video © Akademie der Künste. Foto © Marcus Lieberenz/bildbuehne.de
Welcome addresses by Jeanine Meerapfel and Monika Grütters and lecture by Bénédicte Savoy, Europe inside out, or: what it means to think about Europe from Berlin, 9 Oct 2020
Video © Akademie der Künste. Foto © Marcus Lieberenz/bildbuehne.de
After the „End of History“: The Rise of Right-Wing Nationalism and the Need for a New Internationalism. Lecture by Philipp Ther, 9 Oct 2020
Video © Akademie der Künste. Foto © Marcus Lieberenz/bildbuehne.de