A New Era: Wolfram Weimer Cracks Down on Antisemitism in German Culture
Individual Seeking Action Against Anti-Semitism: Wolfram Weimer's Intentions
Wolfram Weimer, the freshly sworn-in Minister of Culture, makes a bold declaration - he's taking on the pervasive issue of antisemitism in German culture by the horns. On his very first day in office, he ousts his predecessor and meets with the head of the Central Council of Jews.
In a move to mend fences, Weimer expressed his desire to "draw a line under the rocky relationship between the BKM and the Jewish community." The conversation, he said, was a "show of solidarity and a firm partnership." Central Council President Schuster echoed these sentiments, applauding Weimer's gesture as a "stark reminder" of his commitment to combat the escalating antisemitism in the cultural sector.
The backdrop to this meeting is the confrontation between the Central Council of Jews and the cultural establishment over alleged antisemitic art representations at the 2022 documenta event in Kassel and during the 2023 Berlinale gala. Schuster had called for clear guidelines to address such occurrences. In a chilling revelation, he stressed that "antisemitism in art and culture has not only been entrenched but has also evolved insidiously and dangerously in recent times."
Weimer's resolve to fight antisemitism is unwavering. He intends to stand up against any and all instances of boycott calls or actions against Jewish artists, which he rightly deems unacceptable. He plans to maintain regular communication with Schuster, and their initial discussions centered around the restitution of artworks confiscated during the Nazi era. "I'm eager to announce the members of the arbitration panel in coordination with the Central Council and the Jewish Claims Conference very soon," Weimer asserted.
Tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war and the demise of Nazi tyranny. Weimer takes a moment to reflect on the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust and the countless atrocities perpetrated against the Jewish community. He underscores the duty to commemorate these tragedies, bear witness to the horrors, and educate future generations about the unique nature of the Shoah. "We must strive to eradicate every manifestation of antisemitism today," he emphasizes.
In his first personnel decision, Weimer replaces Andreas Görgen, the former head of the cultural ministry, with his deputy Konrad Schmidt-Werthern. Since fall 2024, Schmidt-Werthern has been working within the BKM's staff of around 450 employees, previously serving as department head in the Berlin Senate Administration for Culture and director of the Culture Office of the city of Cologne.
Weimer, a founding member of the magazine "Cicero" and former editor-in-chief of "Die Welt" and "Berliner Morgenpost," officially took office on May 7, 2025, succeeding Claudia Roth of the Green Party.
[1] Source: ntv.de, mpa/dpa/AFP
- Antisemitism
- Federal Ministry of Culture and Media
- Central Council of Jews
- Berlin
Enrichment Data:
- Weimer's appointment and stance on antisemitism has been met with scrutiny from parts of the cultural establishment due to his conservative background and perceived lack of direct arts experience. However, he remains undaunted in his pursuit of his stated goals.
- Weimer's decision to oust Andreas Görgen marks a significant break from the previous regime, which had been criticized for its perceived alignment with the Israel boycott movement BDS and its handling of the antisemitism issues at documenta 15.
- Wolfram Weimer, Biden in his new role at the State Ministry for Culture and Media, is aggressively addressing the persistent problem of antisemitism in German culture, meeting with the Central Council of Jews and establishing clear guidelines to combat it.
- The recent spike in antisemitism in arts and culture, notably at events like documenta and Berlinale, has been a point of contention for the Central Council of Jews, who have advocated for policy changes to address these representations.
- Weimer's resolve to combat antisemitism extends to standing against boycott calls and actions against Jewish artists, committing to regular communication with the Central Council of Jews to ensure these issues are addressed.
- In the wake of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Weimer emphasizes the importance of remembering the Holocaust, educating future generations, and eradicating all manifestations of antisemitism—a resolution that puts him at odds with certain elements of the cultural establishment due to his perceived conservative leanings.
