“Milestones of Democracy” – European Memories 2009

10th Weimar Summer Courses June 28^th – July 11^th 2009
Courses Overview

The year 2009 is the anniversary of a number of dates of great importance for European democracy: The ‘Weimar Republic’, founded in 1919, introduced innovative constitutional elements to practical political life. Also founded in Weimar in 1919, the Bauhaus developed an aesthetic strategy for political participation; Joseph Beuys was later to take this further with his aesthetic approach of ‘Social Sculpture’ to foster humanity and ecological sustainability. Furthermore, in 2009 the new democracies in Central and Eastern Europe will commemorate the peaceful revolution in autumn 1989.

The 10^th Weimar Summer Courses will refer to these milestones of European democracy in a cross-sectoral approach. The main aim is to use historical experiences and theoretical approaches for the future development of democracy in Europe. Three parallel courses will address the general topic, each of them emphasising a specific dimension.

We cordially invite you to study these topics together with young intellectuals from all over the world in Weimar, one of the Cultural Capitals of Europe.

Course A (Art and Sustainability): From Bauhaus to Social Sculpture. The Shaping of Humane Societies as an Aesthetic Challenge

The Bauhaus, founded in Weimar in 1919, brought together a Europe-wide avant-garde to reform the modern industrial age through art. While it had a significant effect in the field of construction and design, its larger holistic and reformatory beginnings were all but lost. Now, at the start of a new century, the idea of social sculpture (Joseph Beuys) offers a comprehensive aesthetic understanding and strategy for the shaping of sustainable societies. To what extent does social sculpture represent a new connection between the ethical and aesthetic dimensions? And what is its relationship to the central ideas of the Bauhaus?

An integral part of the course are practices that enable participants to access their individual creativity, to explore creative action in the context of their own situations. These practices are taught by interdisciplinary artist and Beuys pupil, Shelley Sacks.

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Course B (Media and Society): Civil Society and the Media in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989

The course aims to investigate the current situation of the media in Central and Eastern Europe, including Germany, and to analyse and discuss their actual or potential role in building structures of democracy, peace and tolerance. The seminar will be comprised of both theoretical and practical components. To begin with, general issues and questions will be dealt with in the form of reading, class discussions as well as lectures. Field trips will be undertaken to various sites in and around Weimar, and meetings with experts will be arranged.

Another important element of the seminar will be a practical hands-on workshop during which the participants will learn and apply basic techniques of radio journalism with particular regard to the possibilities of new digital media. Audio features on a number of related topics will be produced in Weimar and then published on-line at the end of the summer school.

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Technical information

The total course fees are 750 Euro (for students 500 Euro) and include costs for accommodation in a double room, board and participation in the course programmes and excursions. The participant’s card allows free entry to Weimar’s museums, the art collection, libraries and archives. The closing date for applications is 15th April 2009.

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 15 per course. The seminars (9-12 a.m. & 2-5 p.m.) comprise lectures, excursions and contributions of participants. The seminar language is English.

Accommodation will be in modern twin rooms in the European Youth Education and Community Centre Weimar (EJBW) in the centre of Weimar close to the Ilm Park.