Saxony was a central arena on the path to the Peaceful Revolution. In the fall of 1989, numerous citizens of all generations and from all walks of life took to the streets to peacefully protest for democracy, freedom, freedom of movement and the right to have their say. Their motto was: Wir sind das Volk! (“We are the people!”). The citizens of Saxony proved then that a debate conducted by democratic means and the unification of democratically minded forces can bring about a change in society.

Today, the motto of the Peaceful Revolution is abused by right-wing populists who instrumentalize the values of freedom, tolerance and solidarity for their own purposes. The contemptuous treatment of human dignity, of dissidents and of committed cultural workers and scientists is unacceptable.

As cultural workers and scientists in Saxony, we are not above things, but we bear a responsibility toward German history and our culture of remembrance. We stand up for democratic values and the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, freedom of the arts, freedom of press, freedom of religion and the right to asylum, and resolutely reject any attacks on these indispensable foundations of our society’s values.

We understand culture, science and its institutions, its urban and its rural places as open spaces that belong to many. Our society is a plurality. We understand diversity and cosmopolitanism as a prerequisite. We pursue the goal of practicing democracy in Saxony. We condemn populistic-nationalistic ideas and their dissemination and denounce discrimination as well as violence of any kind.

As independent stakeholders in democratic and socio-educational discourse, we stand up for freedom of imagination and thought and rebuff any form of appropriation. We engage in an open and critical dialogue about undemocratic strategies and goals and shape this dialogue in our institutions in open exchange with the public. We are united by the certainty that a society free of fear and worth living in is possible by regaining the ability to engage in dialogue and to treat each other with respect.

For us, the freedom of art and science is an essential component of an open, democratic and diverse society, to which we are committed on the basis of the Basic Law and the achievements of the Peaceful Revolution. Our philosophy is to advocate for a society in which all people – regardless of social or cultural background, gender, religion or worldview, mental or physical abilities, age or sexual orientation – meet each other with respect and tolerance.

We join in solidarity with people who are marginalized by exclusionary policies and ideologies.

Democracy must be renegotiated every day – but always under one condition: It’s about everyone, about every single person!

Philosophy

All signatories are cultural and educational institutions, art institutions and institutions of art education, theaters, museums, universities, colleges and their representative bodies or associations.
In addition to the first signatory institutions, other institutions, individuals and artist groups can declare their solidarity as supporters from the day of first publication in a region.
By signing, the directors or management team agree to make the text of the declaration known within their own organization among staff, ensemble members, curators, audiences, and visitors, and to open it up for discussion.
Signing institutions will be displayed on the homepage www.dievielen.de.
The signatories become active in the sense of the values of the declaration, among other things by contributing with events and talks.
The declaration and the campaign are published as part of the organization’s own public relations work.
The Declaration of the Many campaign is regionally anchored, but is disseminated nationwide through regional associations.
On May 19, 2019, the undersigned institutions will provide information about the “Brilliant demonstration of art and culture – solidarity instead of privileges. It’s about everyone. The art remains free!”
The signatories commit themselves to mutual solidarity with cultural and educational institutions and stakeholders who are exposed to incitement and vilification and are put under political pressure.

If you want to sign or get more information, please contact .

Initial signatories
92 institutions (as of: April 11, 2019)

Academy of Music, Barbara Rucha, Director
ASA-FF e.V., Franz Knoppe, Chairman
Atomino e.V. Chemnitz
Leipzig Bach Archive, Prof. Dr. Peter Wollny, Director
Leipzig Bach Archive, Franziska Grimm, Managing Director
Leipzig Bach Festival, Dr. Michael Maul, Artistic Director
Bon Courage e.V.
Cammerspiele, Sophie Renz, Managing Director
Cammerspiele, Christian Hanisch, Artistic Director
Cammerspiele, Michaela Grünold, Chairwoman
C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH, Dr. Ralf Schulze, Managing Director
D21 – Kunstraum Leipzig, Constanze Müller, Chairwoman
German Literature Institute, Jörn Dege, Managing Director
Deutsch-Sorbisches Volkstheater, Lutz Hillmann, Artistic Director
DOK Leipzig, Leena Pasanen, Artistic and Managing Director
Dresdner Philharmonie, Frauke Roth, General Manager
EB Heinrich-Schütz-Konservatorium Dresden, Kati Kasper, Managing Director
Eisler-Haus Leipzig e.V., Etienne Walch, Chairman
euro-scene Leipzig, Ann-Elisabeth Wolff, Festival Director
euro-scene Leipzig, Jana Wetzlich, Administrative Manager
Erich-Zeigner-Haus, Raimund Grafe, Chairman of the Board
Filmverband Sachsen e.V.
Flügelschlag Werkbühne e.V., Anja-Christin Winkler, Artistic Director
Forum Zeitgenössischer Musik Leipzig, Thomas Chr. Heyde, Managing Artistic Director
Freie Jugendkunstschule Waldenburg, Olaf Richter, Director
FAK - Freunde aktueller Kunst e.V., Klaus Fischer, Chair
Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst, Franciska Zólyom, Director
GEDOK Gruppe Mitteldeutschland e.V., Brunhild Fischer, Chairman of the Board
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater-Görlitz-Zittau GmbH, Klaus Arauner, General Director
Gesellschaft für Gemeinsinn e.V., Dr. Florian Kiel, Chair
Gewandhaus Leipzig, Prof. Andreas Schulz, Gewandhaus Director
Gewandhaus Leipzig, Prof. Dr. Gereon Röckrath, Administrative Director
Gottfried-Silbermann-Gesellschaft e.V., Albrecht Koch, President
GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts Leipzig, Dr. Olaf Thormann, Director
GRASSI Museum of Musical Instruments – Leipzig University, Dr. Josef Focht, Director
GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde – Leipzig, Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, Director of the Saxon State Ethnographic Collections
greater form / Giro e.V., Mirko Gust, Chair
greater form / Giro e.V., Lina Ruske, Artistic Project Director
HALLE 14 – Zentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst, Michael Arzt, Artistic Director
Helden wider Willen e.V., Adriane Jedlitschka, Chair
Hentrich & Hentrich Publishing Company Berlin Leipzig, Dr. Nora Pester, Publisher
Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, Thomas Locher, Rector
Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig, Prof. Dr. Benjamin Meyer-Krahmer, Vice-Rector of University Development and Research
Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy”, Prof. Martin Kürschner, Rector
HTWK Leipzig, Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, Rector
KINDERVEREINIGUNG e.V. / Kulturwerkstatt KAOS; Jochen Janus, Project Director
Kleine Musikschule Lindenau, Natalie Occhipinti, Director
Klub Solitaer e.V., Mandy Knospe, Chair
Knalltheater, Lars Sechert, Director
Kreismusikschule “Heinrich Schütz” Nordsachsen, Prof. Elvira Dreßen, Director
Kultopia GgmbH, Josefa Hose, Managing Director
Kultur- und Begegnungszentrum Ariowitsch-Haus, Küf Kaufmann, Director
Kulturhaus Arthur e.V., René Szymanski, Chair
Kulturinitiative Zwenkau e.V., Steffen Wieser, Chairman of the Board
Kulturinitiative Zwenkau e.V., Dr. Gerhard Sender, Chair
Kulturinitiative Zwenkau e.V., Susanne Schönherr, Chair
Kulturkosmos Leipzig e.V., Angela Kobelt, Chair
Kultur- und Kommunikationszentrum naTo e.V., Falk Elstermann, Managing Director
Kulturstiftung Leipzig, Prof. Rolf-Dieter Ahrens, Chairman of the Foundation Board
Kulturstiftung Leipzig, Olaf Doehler, Managing Director
Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz, Dr. Frédéric Bußmann, Director General
Kunstverein Freunde aktueller Kunst, Klaus Fischer, Artistic Director/Chair
kunZstoffe – Urbane Ideenwerkstatt e.V., Daniela Nuß, Chair
Landesbühnen Sachsen, Manuel Schöbel, Artistic Director
Landesbühnen Sachsen, Artemis Willms, Commercial Manager
Landesrektorenkonferenz Sachsen, Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, Matthias Flügge (Chairs)
Landesverband Amateurtheater Sachsen e.V.
Landesverband Bildende Kunst Sachsen e.V., Lydia Hempel, Managing Director
Landesbüro Darstellende Künste Sachsen e.V., Helge-Björn Meyer, Managing Director
Landesverband Soziokultur Sachsen e.V.
Lauter-leise e.V., Anna Kaleri, Chair
Leipziger Tanztheater, Gundolf Nandico, Managing Director
Leipziger Tanztheater, Lutz Werner, Chair
Lindenfels Westflügel e.V.
Lindenow e.V. – umbrella organization for the art and cultural spaces in the West of Leipzig, Anna Schimkat, Chair
Literaturhaus Leipzig e.V., Dr. Thorsten Ahrend, Managing Director
Literaturhaus Leipzig e.V., Prof. Dr. Frieder von Ammon, Chairman of the Board
Mittelsächsische Theater und Philharmonie GmbH, Ralf-Peter Schulze, Artistic Director
Mittelsächsische Theater und Philharmonie GmbH, Annett Wöhlert, Theater Director
Musikfest Erzgebirge gUG, Ben Uhle, Managing Director
Musical Instrument Museum of the University of Leipzig in the Grassi, Dr. Josef Focht, Director
“Johann Sebastian Bach” Music School, Matthias Wiedemann, Director
“Johann Sebastian Bach” Music School, Cathleen Max, Head of Administration
Neue Celluloid Fabrik Film Production, Jürgen Kleinig, Managing Director
ongoing project GbR
Leipzig Opera, Prof. Ulf Schirmer, Artistic Director and General Music Director
Leipzig Opera, Ulrich Jagels, Administrative Director
Ostpassage Theater e.V.
OSTRALE – Center for Contemporary Art, Andrea Hilger, Directorate
Palucca University of Dance Dresden
Produzentengalerie Oscar e.V., Bernd Thiele, Board of Directors
riesa efau. Kultur Forum Dresden, Frank Eckhardt, Managing Director
RosaLinde e.V. Leipzig
University of Leipzig, Centre of Competence for Theatre, Prof. Dr. Günther Heeg, Director
University of Leipzig, Institute for Theater Studies, Prof. Dr. Patrick Primavesi, Executive Director
Schaubühne Lindenfels gAG, René Reinhardt, Artistic Director
Schaubühne Lindenfels gAG, Dr. Michael Schramm, Administrative Director
Schaubühne Lindenfels gAG, Ilona Schaal, Program Director
Schauspiel Leipzig, Enrico Lübbe, Artistic Director
Shostakovich in Gohrisch e.V., Tobias Niederschlag, Chairman/ Artistic Director
Schweizerhaus Püchau e.V., Martina Jacobi-Wilhelm, Executive Director
Schweizerhaus Püchau e.V., Leonore Kasper, Artistic Director
smac – State Museum of Archaeology Chemnitz, Dr. Sabine Wolfram, Director
smac – State Museum for Archaeology Chemnitz, Dr. Jens Beutmann, Head of Exhibitions Department
City of Leipzig, Dr. Skadi Jennicke, Assigned City Council Member for Culture of the City of Leipzig
Chemnitz Municipal Theater, Dr. Christoph Dittrich, General Director
Chemnitz Municipal Theater, Hergen Gräper, Administrative Director
Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Barbknecht, Rector
Chemnitz University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, Rector
Technische Universität Dresden
Theater der Jungen Welt, Jürgen Zielinski, Artistic Director
Theater der Jungen Welt, Lydia Schubert, Administrative Director
Theaterhaus Rudi, Katrin Gawel, Director
Theatrium Leipzig, Almut Haunstein, Managing Director
Treibhaus e.V. Döbeln
WELTECHO / Das Ufer e.V., Ingo Scheller, Board of Directors