Press Release: The European Alliance of Academies condemns the war against Ukraine

The unthinkable has happened: War in Europe. This war polarizes. In particular
with regard to the question of how to deal with Russian and Belarusian artists who
publicly position themselves against the war.
Despite this neuralgic point, the European Alliance of Academies has agreed by a
large majority on the following statement:

The European Alliance of Academies condemns
the war against Ukraine

The transnational alliance invites Ukrainian art academies to join and calls
for dialogue with artists in Russia and Belarus.

The European Alliance of Academies condemns Putin’s war and declares its
solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The European Alliance of Academies invites
Ukrainian art academies and cultural institutions to join the pan-European alliance.
Russian and Belarusian artists and academics who are raising their voices against
the war at great personal risk are also invited to join the European Alliance of
Academies. They have our solidarity. Freedom of the press and freedom of
expression are more important than ever, which is why the alliance is expressing
its gratitude to and solidarity with all critical journalists. Political and economic
sanctions which extend to the realm of civil society and to the artistic and
academic sphere, should instead be solved through critical dialogue. This has
always been the right course of action and must be maintained. The worlds’ war
power ability easily can destroy all of our civilizations at once.

The European Alliance of Academies is committed to cultural unity and
transnational solidarity. On the initiative of Jeanine Meerapfel, President of the
Akademie der Künste, Berlin, this European peace project was founded in October
2020. The founding manifesto states: “Art and culture are essential for a
functioning democracy and for social cohesion. We stand for the freedom of the
arts as a prerequisite for our cultural, social and political way of life. The
independence of artistic positions and institutions from political, national and
religious prescriptions is the foundation of democracy.”
The European Alliance of Academies currently has 67 members. Its structure,
which has so far concentrated on the member states of the EU, is to be extended
from now on to embrace geographical Europe.

You can download this press release in German and English here.