Culture is diversity and a sense of home

Home is where diversity is embraced and where others and strangers are treated with respect. Home is where cultures are recognised as equal and we treat one another as equals.
Art and culture bring people together. Whether in theatres, museums, libraries, music or art venues, socio-cultural centres or independent initiatives, we create spaces for encounter and keep our society open, diverse and worth living in.
Right-wing populist forces are deliberately attacking artistic freedom, stoking uncertainty and working to foster a backward-looking culture of exclusion and marginalisation. Democratic values are being called into question, cultural work is being delegitimised, and influence is being exerted over content and programmes.

These attempts to narrow the scope of debate, exclude people and control art run counter to our self-image. Culture is a space for democratic engagement.
The freedom of art and science is non-negotiable. It protects dissent, makes different perspectives visible and enables us to question power. Where freedom is restricted, democracy is also endangered.

We defend artistic freedom against political instrumentalisation and against any form of co-optation. Our institutions are public spaces – characterised by diversity, difference and the aspiration to actively shape social developments.

We stand for openness, respect and the dignity of every human being. We oppose exclusion, discrimination and anti-democratic ideologies.

As part of civil society, we seek to stand shoulder to shoulder with all those who share these values – in Saxony-Anhalt and beyond, in solidarity with all those who risk so much for the freedom of art.

As cultural actors, we are not neutral towards political extremism – for that would mean being neutral towards the violation of core principles of our Basic Law.

Freedom of art is the foundation of our work – and the yardstick by which we measure our stance. We stand up for it. Together.
For home is where diversity is lived and freedom of art is defended.