Let's talk #3 – Conflict and Artistic Freedom

The discussion series LASST UNS REDEN began in spring 2024 with the aim of creating a space for discourse to equalise social pressure. The starting point was and remains the heightened tensions in politics, culture and science since 7 October 2023. After almost a year, the socio-political pressure has increased even further. Our present is drifting towards authoritarianism at an accelerated pace, accompanied by geopolitical shifts, ongoing wars and massive battles over interpretation, not to mention the increasingly noticeable effects of climate change. There is still great disagreement about how to effectively combat anti-Semitism and racism. How can we get back to constructive and responsible discussions? The first step: by not giving up! Kampnagel remains a place of critical exchange and this series is dedicated to questions relating to art and the Middle East war.

Artistic freedom, which is enshrined in Article 5 (3) of the German Constitution, is a central element of democratic societies and is regarded as an achievement, especially in Germany after the experiences of national socialism. A curtailment of this fundamental right has long been localised on the outside, in other countries. But here, too, it is back on the cultural and political agenda. The panel asks: What exactly is the fragility of artistic freedom and its fundamental relevance in the context of current crises and wars? What is the relationship between artistic freedom and democracy? From an artistic perspective: How is the lack of artistic freedom felt? How does artistic freedom relate to protection against discrimination in cultural spaces? What role can civil society play at the moment of its restriction? Experts and artists are invited to discuss the tense relationship between the rule of law and artistic freedom as a human right.