"Making Amends:" Wolfram Weimer Takes a Stand Against Antisemitism
Determined individual, Wolfram Weimer, intends to curb instances of anti-Semitism.
Just days into his new role, Wolfram Weimer is making a bold move. His predecessor is out, and Weimer is ready to make some changes. A meeting with the head of the Central Council of Jews quickly followed, setting the tone for Weimer's tenure.
In the German Ministry of Culture, Weimer wants to forge a new path. "I want to send a crystal-clear message today. The broken relationship between the BKM and the Jewish community will be mended, and the contentious era of German cultural policy will come to an end," Weimer declared.
With Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, by his side, Weimer said their conversation was "a beacon of solidarity and a reliable partnership." Schuster described the meeting as "a powerful statement that Weimer sought dialogue," expressing optimism about the future of German cultural policy.
A significant focus of the discussion centered on countering the growing antisemitism in Germany, especially within the cultural sector. This move comes in response to criticism from the Central Council of Jews about antisemitic displays at the documenta art exhibition in 2022 and controversial statements about the Gaza war during the Berlinale gala last year. Schuster explained that recent years have shown "antisemitism in art and culture is far-reaching and is continually evolving in a threatening manner."
Weimer pledged to keep the lines of communication open with Schuster, and their conversation also touched on the return of artworks stolen or confiscated during the Nazi era. He noted that he planned to announce the membership of an arbitration panel to deal with these cases in coordination with the Central Council and the Jewish Claims Conference shortly. "This is a crucial step towards finding equitable resolutions," the Minister of Culture said.
Looking towards the 80th anniversary of the end of the war and the end of Nazi rule in Germany and Europe, Weimer expressed solemn remembrances of the millions of Jews murdered in the Holocaust. "The singularity of the Shoah demands that we continue relentlessly to confront every form of antisemitism," he emphasized, emphasizing the enormity of the task ahead.
"From Editor to Minister: Streamlining Cultural Struggles"
Weimer's first official personnel decision was made public on Tuesday evening. Andreas Goergens, the ex-head of the State Ministry for Culture and Media, will be replaced by his deputy Konrad Schmidt-Werthern. Having worked with Schmidt-Werthern in the BKM since fall 2024, Weimer believes they share the same vision for the cultural sector. Schmidt-Werthern's background includes serving as department head in the Berlin Senate Administration for Culture and directing the Culture Office of the city of Cologne.
Weimer officially took the reins from the Green politician Claudia Roth and entered the Ministry of Culture on May 7, 2025. A celebrated journalist and author, Weimer is the founder of the magazine "Cicero" and has served as editor-in-chief of "Die Welt" and "Berliner Morgenpost."
Sources: ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- Antisemitism
- Federal Ministry of Culture and Media
- Central Council of Jews
- Berlin
Enrichment Data:
Wolfram Weimer, who assumed the Ministry of State for Culture on May 7, 2025, has made combating antisemitism in the cultural sector a key aspect of his agenda. Notable actions he has taken include:
- Instantly dismissing Andreas Görgen, the former head of the cultural ministry, who faced controversy over his perceived support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and his lack of decisive action against antisemitism. Görgen was a point of contention amid the controversies surrounding antisemitism at the documenta 15 art exhibition in 2022, which Weimer hoped to transcend[2].
- Publicly committing to reestablish a harmonious relationship between the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Jewish community by ending a historically strained chapter of German cultural policy that had been marked by tensions over antisemitism[2].
- Outright stating the fight against antisemitism as a central goal of his tenure, positioning himself to address antisemitism systematically within the cultural community[3].
Weimer's initiatives represent a clear departure from the previous cultural administration, with a renewed focus on antisemitism allegations such as documenta 15 and more robust stances on the BDS movement. His appointments and stance on cultural policy have sparked heated debate, with supporters viewing his policies as a corrective to a perceived leniency on antisemitism under his predecessor, while critics question his cultural qualifications and ideological leanings[1][5].
- The new Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has made fighting antisemitism in the cultural sector a focal point of his agenda, following his appointment on May 7, 2025.
- In his first official move, Weimer dismissed Andreas Görgen, the former head of the cultural ministry, due to his perceived support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and his lack of decisive action against antisemitism.
- Weimer has pledged to reestablish a harmonious relationship between the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Jewish community, aiming to end a historically strained chapter of German cultural policy marked by tensions over antisemitism.
- As part of his strategy, Weimer has proposed the formation of an arbitration panel to deal with cases of artworks stolen or confiscated during the Nazi era, in collaboration with the Central Council and the Jewish Claims Conference. This is a key step towards addressing antisemitism systematically within the cultural community, as promised by Weimer.
