As of: February 5, 2024, 1:19 p.m
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Arne Braun thinks.
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Hundreds of thousands take to the streets and demonstrate against right-wing extremism.
Culture cannot stay out of this, says State Secretary Arne Braun.
You have an important task.
Stuttgart - In view of the ongoing political criticism and mass protests on the streets, cultural institutions such as museums and theaters also have an important responsibility, from the point of view of State Secretary for Culture Arne Braun.
Dialogue is the fundamental element of theater and the stage is consequently the right place for lively dialogue and the exchange of positions, said the Green politician.
This helps society to develop new options for further thinking and acting - “controversial, thoughtful and not didactic,” Braun told the German Press Agency.
In the current democratic crisis, culture has a special task.
It could serve to regain the language, build bridges and get people talking again.
“As part of civil society, culture can also use the opportunity to speak up loudly and clearly for social cohesion and the preservation of democracy,” demanded Braun.
Museums could also enable a change of perspective, as was recently the case in the Stuttgart memorial Hotel Silber with its exhibitions about the Gestapo.
At the University of Jewish Studies in Heidelberg, students also presented him with a concept about anti-Jewish stereotypes that they developed with Muslims.
“They are doing this together on the online platform Tiktok in order to reach other target groups,” said Braun.
This is also possible if cultural associations and institutions offer spaces for exchange, debate or just conversation.
In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands have demonstrated in many cities against right-wing extremism and the AfD.
The trigger was a report by the media company Correctiv about a meeting of radical right-wingers in Potsdam with some AfD politicians as well as individual members of the CDU and the very conservative Union of Values.
According to participants, it was about the concept of so-called remigration.
When right-wing extremists use the term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country - even under duress.
dpa