A Fresh Start: Wolfram Weimer Tackles Antisemitism Head-On
Determined Individual, Wolfram Weimer, Advocates for Elimination of Anti-Semitic Attitudes
In a bold move, the newly appointed Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has declared war on antisemitism, making it his top priority. Within hours of assuming office, he met with Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, marking a new era in German cultural policy.
Weimer's meeting with Schuster was a powerful statement of solidarity and a promising indication of a trusting partnership. According to Weimer, the discussion centered on how to combat the growing antisemitism in Germany, particularly in the cultural sphere, more decisively and effectively.
This stand is a response to mounting criticism from the Central Council of Jews regarding antisemitic depictions at the documenta art exhibition in Kassel in 2022 and controversial statements about the Gaza war during the Berlinale gala last year. Schuster had earlier called for clear guidelines for culture, emphasizing that antisemitism in art and culture is becoming increasingly pervasive and threatening.
Weimer has pledged to oppose antisemitism with every ounce of his strength and has vowed to maintain regular contact with Schuster. The conversation between the two also touched upon the return of artworks stolen or confiscated during the Nazi era. Weimer plans to announce the members of the arbitration panel in coordination with the Central Council and the Jewish Claims Conference soon.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war and the end of Nazi tyranny in Germany and Europe, Weimer underscored the importance of remembering the millions of Jews murdered in the Holocaust and educating future generations about the atrocities committed. He reiterated that it is the solemn duty of all to firmly oppose every form of antisemitism, especially in light of the Holocaust, a crime that will never be forgotten.
In a notable personnel decision, Andreas Görgen, the current head of the State Ministry for Culture and Media, will be replaced by Konrad Schmidt-Werthern, Weimer's deputy. Schmidt-Werthern, who has been working at the BKM since fall 2024, will now take over as head.
Weimer, a founding member of the magazine "Cicero", assumed office yesterday, succeeding Green politician Claudia Roth. With a background as editor-in-chief of "Die Welt" and "Berliner Morgenpost", Weimer brings a wealth of experience to his role.
[1] UNESCO. (n.d.). Holocaust Education. [Online]. Available: http://en.unesco.org/holocaust/education
[4] The Harvard Crimson. (2021, October 27). For Jewish and Muslim Students, Harvard Struggles to Acknowledge and Address Systemic Bias. [Online]. Available: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/10/27/anti-semitism-islamophobia/
- The newly appointed Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has vowed to combat growing antisemitism, particularly in the cultural sphere, by announcing the members of an arbitration panel to return artworks stolen or confiscated during the Nazi era, in coordination with the Central Council and the Jewish Claims Conference.
- Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, praised Weimer's stand on antisemitism and called for clear guidelines for culture, emphasizing that antisemitism in art and culture is becoming increasingly pervasive and threatening.
- In a significant policy change, Andreas Görgen, the current head of the State Ministry for Culture and Media, will be replaced by Konrad Schmidt-Werthern, Weimer's deputy. Schmidt-Werthern, who has been working at the BKM since fall 2024, will now take over as head.
- In the general news, Weimer's appointment and his firm stance against antisemitism echoes the importance of Holocaust education, as UNESCO states, and the need for institutions to acknowledge and address systemic bias, as reported by The Harvard Crimson in their article on Jewish and Muslim students.
