La Jornada: Exhibition opens at the German presidential residence

Berlin. The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, highlighted the enormous importance of art and culture for democracy.

“Democratic societies are nourished by the diversity of voices. Art makes experiences, identities and realities of life visible,” said Steinmeier at his official residence, Bellevue Palace.

“Art is not a luxury at all, but an essential part of the democratic debate,” he stressed.

The German president made these statements shortly before the opening of a two-week exhibition of contemporary artists at his official residence in Berlin.

The building will close at the beginning of July to undergo years-long renovation work.

Before closing, the exhibition – organized by the Academy of Arts – will convert the already empty rooms of the Bellevue Palace into an ephemeral gallery from June 13 to 28.

President Steinmeier, who has become a third-dimensional figure for the exhibition, explained that this exhibition is very important to him because, in the midst of the current difficult political debates, the relevance of art and culture for society seems to have been left in the background. “This hurts cultural creators, but also someone like me, who has been accompanied by literature, theater, cinema and, above all, jazz throughout my life,” he expressed.

The president noted that the exhibition offers citizens the opportunity to say goodbye to the presidential headquarters before it closes for years.