Under Pressure! Defending Artistic Freedom in Times of Right-Wing Populism in Europe
International Conference on 15 December 2025 in Berlin
Dear all,
Right-wing populism and authoritarian tendencies are increasingly shaping the cultural sphere across Europe. Artistic freedom, pluralism, and independent cultural institutions are under growing pressure. How can the arts respond? What strategies, alliances, and political frameworks are needed to safeguard cultural freedom in democratic societies?
These questions will be at the heart of the international conference “Under Pressure! Defending Artistic Freedom in Times of Right-Wing Populism in Europe” on 15 December 2025 at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Hiroshimastraße 28, 10785 Berlin.
Confirmed speakers include Sharon Macdonald (Humboldt University Berlin), Lavinia Frey (Berlin International Literature Festival), and István Hiller (former Hungarian Minister of Culture), among other experts from politics, culture, and academia.
The conference will be held in English with simultaneous German translation.
More information and the full programme are available here:
Under Pressure! Defending Artistic Freedom in Times of Right-Wing Populism in Europe
We look forward to welcoming you in Berlin!
Registration is required and open until 8 December 2025.
Best regards,
The Culture and Media Team
Johannes Crückeberg & Jan Christoph Ansorge