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

Collage of various people and landmarks of Europe © Groupe Dejour

Tell Me About Europe
 Stories Beyond Generations

Europe is more than a continent or an idea. Europe consists of many different stories – personal stories of people from different generations. The project “Tell me about Europe” brings the memories of well-known Europeans alive and invites you to listen and join in the discussion.
A hand pulls a small wooden block out of a wall that is built out of nothing but small wooden blocks. On the block, the following writing is engraved: "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. - Paulo Coelho" © Duffy Rafferty

Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2020
 The Disappearing Wall – Belfast

The interactive art installation Disappearing Wall was set up across Europe between autumn 2020 and spring 2021. Built from 6,000 wooden blocks inscribed with quotes from European high and pop culture, the walls represented the diversity of the continent. Set up in Belfast and 15 other European cities, the pan-European project travelled through overall 10 countries, celebrating the European identity with all its facets of languages and ideas.
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.

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!
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."
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 (March-April 2019) invites two journalists from European countries to investigate, question, debate and reflect on the impact of Brexit on the British civil society.
Current Artists: Loveday Wright & Julia Smirnova
 
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.

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.
A woman's face in front of a wall covered in colourful post-it notes with writing CC0

Egometer
 Your Position on Europe

Where in Europe do people think like you do? Test yourself with our egometer and find out where you stand!
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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