AfD wants to cut funding: The cultural world is arming itself against the AfD with the Bauhaus manifesto
An alliance of cultural institutions committed themselves to the ideas of the Bauhaus in a manifesto in order to react against the planned cuts by the AfD Saxony-Anhalt
Quick Look
An alliance of cultural institutions publishes a manifesto to position themselves against the AfD Saxony-Anhalt's planned funding cuts for the Bauhaus site in Dessau and to advocate for the ideas of the Bauhaus.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The AfD Saxony-Anhalt has announced cuts for cultural institutions such as the Bauhaus in Dessau in its election program.
An alliance of cultural institutions and organizations committed themselves to the artistic ideas of the Bauhaus in a manifesto. The background is the AfD Saxony-Anhalt's intention to cut funding for the “wrong path of modernity”.
On the initiative of Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer, a broad alliance of cultural institutions has published a commitment to the artistic ideas of the Bauhaus. The Bauhaus, founded in 1919, stands for “exchange, transnational networking and mutual inspiration” as well as for “intellectual, social and aesthetic openness,” says the text: “At that time, integration led to innovation and world fame.”
The artistic attitude of the Bauhaus, which includes “the courage to have a bold vision” and “confidence in the freedom of artistic thinking,” is a role model in times “in which the political fringes are gaining strength and propagating regression instead of progress.” That’s why they want to “defend the Bauhaus legacy against populist attacks.”
Weimer also signed
The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt has announced in its election program that it will cut funding for the Bauhaus site in Dessau after a possible takeover of government in the state, as it sees its cultural heritage as a “misguided path of modernity” and a sign of “anti-German” sentiment.
In addition to the Minister of State for Culture, the signatories of the “Bauhaus Manifesto 2026” include the Berlin Academy of Arts, the Federal Chamber of Architects, the German Museum Association, the International Museum Council ICOM, the German UNESCO Commission, the Central Association of German Crafts, the German Association of Cities, the German Bishops' Conference, the Evangelical Church in Germany and the German Center for Losses of Cultural Property.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Increased media presence on the topic in the next few days
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- How are other political parties reacting to the manifesto?
