The freedom to be free is the title of an essay by Hannah Arendt in which she describes how the freedom to participate in politics is a central element of democracy. In 1967, she wrote that the topic was almost shamefully urgent. And this sentence still applies today. In many countries, populist movements are threatening freedom of art and expression and safe spaces for open dialogue are becoming increasingly rare.
Image gallery
KEY VISUAL Die Freiheit, frei zu sein: Kunst und Kultur zwischen Dialog und Spaltung
However, it is not only the political and structural conditions that are changing and becoming more restrictive. Cultural debates in Germany are also becoming increasingly narrow and polarized. This makes a differentiated dialogue and an open exchange on important topics more difficult, yet they are so important today.On this occasion, the new president of the Goethe-Institut, Gesche Joost, discusses with international artists and professionals from the cultural sector what freedom means to them today.
Duration: 1h 30 minutes
German and English spoken language, simultaneous interpretation in DGS
Additional information
Impulses and discussion with:
Jens Balzer (journalist, author), Zasha Colah (curator 13th Berlin Biennale), Johannes Ebert (Secretary General Goethe-Institut), Gesche Joost (President Goethe-Institut), Hajnalka Somogyi (founder, curator OFF-Biennale Budapest), Hito Steyerl (filmmaker, author)
An event of the Goethe-Institut
Dates
January 2025
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