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Dispute over the Russian House: SPD calls for the propaganda temple to be closed!
An SPD politician is calling for the Russian House in Berlin to be closed because of propaganda and critical cultural events.
Dispute over the Russian House: SPD calls for the propaganda temple to be closed!
A storm of indignation blows over the Russian House in Berlin-Mitte. The SPD politician Alexander Freier-Winterkauf is vehemently calling for the closure of this facility, which functions as Russia's cultural embassy. He describes the house, which opened in 1984 as the House of Soviet Sciences, as a “propaganda temple”. In his eyes, the facility is a place where the Russian government promotes its political agenda rather than celebrating Russia's rich culture. According to Bild, the concern about the misuse of the house is not unfounded. A documentary about the Holocaust was recently shown that portrays Ukrainians in a negative light.
The Russian House is known for its cultural events such as theater, ballet and concerts and attracts many interested people. In addition to the artistic performances, language courses and painting courses are also offered, which makes the house very popular among art and culture lovers. However, critics, such as the Ukrainian association “Vitsche”, see these programs as a subtle form of Russian propaganda. Berliner Kurier reports that the director of the Russian House, Pavel Izvolskiy, strictly avoids the term “war” in connection with the Ukraine conflict. This raises further doubts about the independence and neutrality of the events.
Political Controversies and Cultural Responsibility
In May, the Russian attack on Ukraine was even celebrated in the Russian House, which further fueled the already critical public perception. Freier-Winterkauf calls for a solidarity response and proposes transforming the house into a Baltic-Ukrainian House dedicated to promoting learning and European solidarity. This idea would cut through current propaganda and focus on peaceful coexistence.
The discussion about the Russian House also raises questions about the responsibilities of the Berlin Senate. Despite EU sanctions in force since July 2022 against Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian government agency, the Senate appears to tolerate the House's activities. Critics are concerned that this kind of support further reinforces propaganda spread by Russia. Events are still taking place and the house often blocks critical inquiries regarding transparency and dialogue.
For many, the Russian House is a double-edged sword - on the one hand, a place that enables cultural encounters, and on the other hand, a platform for blatant political messages. It remains to be seen whether the house will continue to exist or will soon be closed. In any case, the political debate is in full swing.