Demokratien unter Druck

Democracies under pressure – Cultural conflicts in a united Europe – What holds Europe together culturally – and what drives it apart?

Origin, language, religion, and belonging: questions of cultural identity are increasingly shaping political debates in Europe. Who belongs? Whose history is being told? These debates are no longer just academic disputes – they are being exploited by populist forces and exacerbating social divisions. At the same time, they show how much pressure European democracy is under.

The event will focus on the causes and expressions of cultural conflicts in the European context. Experts from the fields of culture, academia, and civil society will discuss how such conflicts arise, why they are so powerful, and how they can be dealt with productively. The focus will be on how cultural diversity can be understood as a democratic strength rather than becoming a pawn in polarization and exclusion.

Participants include Amelie Deuflhard (artistic director of Kampnagel), Kübra Gümüşay (author and political scientist), and Dr. Max Czollek (writer and publicist). The evening will be moderated by Lars Becker (state chairman of Europa-Union Hamburg e.V.).

An evening that opens our eyes to the connection between culture, identity, and democracy—and provides impetus for a vibrant, pluralistic European public sphere.

An event organized by Europa-Union Hamburg and Info-Point Europa in cooperation with Kampnagel.