Freedom of speech and the freedom of arts and science are constitutional rights that need to be defended in times of growing pressures against artists. This may be carried also by acts of solidarity with persecuted artists, as prominent cases in Turkey and Russia have recently shown. Yet a more systematic and comprehensive support is needed.
The initiative, which was signed by a number of artistic and festival directors, calls for a government program to support refugee artists in Germany with financial means to provide them with the opportunity to work within their respective field in German institutions. At least 1,000 persecuted artists could thus be supported every year.
This “Aufruf an die Bundesregierung” was, among directors of other cultural institutions, signed by

Amelie Deuflhard, Intendantin Kampnagel Internationale Kulturfabrik GmbH
Shermin Langhoff, Intendantin Maxim Gorki Theater
Matthias Lilienthal, Intendant Münchner Kammerspiele
Joachim Lux, Intendant Thalia Theater / President ITI Germany
Thomas Ostermeier, Künstlerischer Leiter Schaubühne Berlin
Annemie Vanackere, Intendantin HAU Hebbel am Ufer