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Europe

Europe-themed illustration with various symbols and years Illustration (detail): © Tobias Schrank

The tension between national consciousness and European community, the gap between city and country as well as divided generations – these ambivalent feelings, conflicts of identity and the divided view of Europe are particularly noticeable in the United Kingdom. That is why we want to reflect more on the current state and the future challenges of Europe. What does "Europe" mean? What are "European" identities? And what can cultural work contribute to create a common Europe?

#SharedEurope

Projects

Cultural Bridge © Nils Koenning

Forming cultural bridges between the UK and Germany
 Cultural Bridge

The Cultural Bridge pilot programme is a pilot funding opportunity to advocate bilateral community arts collaboration with our partners.It aims to enable social change through the medium of diverse artforms and community arts practices. It promotes cross-border cooperation between the UK nations (Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England) and German cultural institutions in various disciplines and participative methods.
Imagining Futures © Goethe-Institut

Network for the Future of Festivals
 Imagining Futures

At a moment of continued uncertainty and increasing barriers, independent performance festivals from across the UK and mainland Europe come together to rip up the festival rule book by exploring what the future of producing festivals will look like. Imagining Futures aims to spark new connections, support artistic development, explore new festival models and encourage porous, international dialogue between festival leaders – through open conversations and cultural experiments!
Logo of the project Europe's kitchen Glasgow Illustration: © Daniela Burger

"Europe’s Kitchen" in Glasgow
 Event Series in Scotland and online with Jeannette Ehlers

Video installations by Danish-Trinidadian artist Jeannette Ehlers are the starting point for this event series in Scotland. It combines food, recipes and intellectual responses to Jeannette Ehlers` art to create different forms and layers of exchange, locally as well as online.
Street art by Banksy: a man on a ladder chiselling away at one of the stars on the European flag. © dullhunk

Residency Programme: Journalism/Writing
 (Re-)Collecting Europe

This residency invites two journalists from European countries to investigate, question, debate and reflect on the impact of Brexit on the British civil society.

 
Schriftzug Talking Culture

Podcast
 Talking Culture

Talking Culture is a platform for thought-provoking discussions about the future of Europe, the UK, and the world. Through fascinating interviews with thinkers and doers in the arts and culture sector, this show investigates how creative fields are emerging from the tumultuous present into the future. From the Goethe-Institut London, this is a podcast about the critical role and value that arts and culture have in our societies.

Newsletter about current cultural events

All our events in the visual arts, film, literature, music, dance and theatre!

EUNIC

The EU National Institutes for Culture is one of the largest cultural cooperation networks in the world. We and our partners from across the globe can support you and your creative endeavours.
In 2020/2021, the Goethe-Institut London is part of the Presidency team of EUNIC London - Meet the team!

Europe and us

What is our position on Europe? What is Europe's position in the world? Two questions that are linked and their answers could overcome limits and borders.

People at a demonstration, two of them are wrapped in European flags © Pierre Alozie 2020

Statement of the Goethe-Institut UK on Brexit
 Let’s remain friends

Culture has no borders, this is what we believe at the Goethe-Institut. Yet Brexit could have consequences for the the British cultural sector and education system. We would like to share our official statement on Brexit with you and hear your thoughts!
Freiraum © Goethe-Institut

“Freiraum”
 On the status of freedom in Europe

Physical distancing, border closings and surveillance have shaped the lives of Europeans during the coronavirus pandemic – freedoms have been restricted. What is the status of freedom in Europe today? This question will be the focus of the Freiraum Festival on 30 and 31 October.

Close-up of a face with a map of Europe painted on it © Getty Images

Statement of EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture
 Make Cultural Relations Count in a Post-Crisis Society

"Cultural relations strengthen the idea of a shared Europe, increasing its self-reflection towards a common awareness of joint values. Cultural relations are key in creating trust and understanding and a more peaceful world by bringing people together on a global scale."

Europe - Open to debate

Europe as an idea, a concept, a "Staatenverbund": that's open to debate! Let's argue with each other – not against each other. And perhaps we will find common ground on this continent.

Fruit and vegetables on a market stall Photo (detail): © Adobe

Criticising the EU
 Too expensive? Undemocratic?

The EU is frequently criticised for excessively bureaucratic, putting the needs of the private sector ahead of those of its citizens, and a lack of transparency. But are these accusations actually true, and, if so, what is Brussels doing to address them?
Anti-Brexit poster at a demonstration: variation of the painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch Photo (detail): © Fred Moon/Unsplash

Brexit
 “The art scene is full of remainers”

Exchange is the life blood of culture: concerts and exhibitions tour cities and countries, and international teams of artists work together in the theatre and in dance companies. Brexit is making this kind of fruitful collaboration with Great Britain difficult. We explore how this is likely to change Europe’s cultural landscape.
 
John Kampfner during his lecture at the Goethe-Institut London. Photo: © Pau Ros / Goethe-Institut

"Brady Lecture" 2019 with John Kampfner
 Does Germany really do it better?

While the US endures Trump administration chaos and the UK has been mired in Brexit for years on end, the political maturity of Germany stands in impressive contrast. Author John Kampfner opened the 2019 Brady Lecture at the London Goethe-Institut with this provocative argument.
Ulrike Guérot © Sara N. Plassnig

Interview
 "Nations are Fictions"

We spoke to Ulrike Guérot, the founder of the European Democracy Labs, about her vision of a reformed Europe. She is the author of Warum Europa eine Republik werden muss! Eine poltitische Utopie ("Why Europe Must Become a Republic! A Political Utopia"), a book that was much discussed in Germany.
Five participants in a panel discussion with an audience Photo (detail): © EUNIC

Interview with EUNIC: European Cultural Policy
 “Seeking Genuine Understanding”

Europe faces many challenges, and nationalist tendencies are becoming increasingly popular in some countries. Is the European idea falling apart – and what can culture do to prevent this from happening? An interview with Andrew Murray, the director of EUNIC, the network of European Union National Institutes for Culture.

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