Dear Reader

I do not have to tell you that spring turned very suddenly into summer. But the weather is not the only thing that heated up in conversations. Nearly every day and every place we went someone would comment on the closure of the Goethe Institut, for all you strictly English speaking folks: Goethe Institute.

I have to ask: What closure? Even the most learned publications in our area had a problem duplicating the message that was made available in very clear form as a detailed press release. The responses were so mixed that one should doubt the literacy level of some terminals. The talk was only of giving up some of the premises as to better serve the public through other venues, that would cost the German Tax payer less money, and at the same time expand the level of visible service in the advancement of German culture in the world. Yes, in the world, not just here in Canada. This was a policy made in Berlin to cut out wasteful expenditures while spending the savings on bigger and better venues and involving the resources of the host countries to a larger degree.

That sounds only fair. In a world where many resources are needed to better social advances around the world no nation can afford to throw money in a direction where it does not get maximum return. In the field of culture and the arts this is not any different. There is always a bottom line that has to be met. Ultimately the "apparent" shrinkage is nothing but a major outreach program that will ensure growth and more participation of any local area and its resources in the private and public sector, and thus guarantee more visibility for any project.

It has become a matter of corporate pride to participate in some worthy causes, such as environmental issues, the arts, human rights and such. For Germany there is not better time to ask partners to add value to the cultural interchange with more vigorous contributions. Germany is in the world news with the 6-month Presidency of the European Union, and the annual G8 presidency. The country has taken a leadership role well earned and now acknowledged by the member states of both organisations. Thus it is only appropriate that the Goethe Institut is engaging in more partnerships with equal players to advance the interchange of cultural endeavours across the world.

Countries like Austria and Switzerland, who have made use of the institute’s conveniences, might have to put their thinking caps on to find ways to hitch their wagon to this new way of cooperative thinking.

In any event, the European Union is an active entity in our midst and has regular events that are gaining momentum. We must get used to thinking bigger than just in terms of our own little cultural corner, if we want to remain active leaders in a cultural and political game that demands strong players.

In this issue we cover a few of these cooperative events in the hope that the idea of unison is becoming a growing trend.

For more news on the Goethe Institut go to our website, where you will find an open letter by its director Dr. Arpad Sölter, who attempts once a gain to clarify the situation.

In the meantime use our stairway on the front page to a pleasant summer!

Until next time,

Sybille Forster-Rentmeister