Ministry of Finance Schwerin canceled Israel exhibition for security concerns

Ministry of Finance Schwerin canceled Israel exhibition for security concerns

Schwerin is the focus of a cultural scandal: the exhibition "Max-Stefan Koslik-Israel insights" planned for the coming Wednesday was canceled in the Ministry of Finance. One reason for this decision is security concerns that have grown against the background of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Finance Minister Dr. Heiko Geue (SPD) emphasizes that security is a top priority for him and his ministry and that the decision was not easy, like Ostsee Zeitung reported.

The exhibition was intended to present photographs by the artist Max-Stefan Koslik that were taken during a three-month stay in Israel. They show everyday life, hope and encounters in cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The aim was to shed light on the human dimension beyond the political conflicts. However, security considerations caused the required organizational and structural precautions to be assessed as inadequate, explains the finance minister.

political dimension and public reactions

The CDU state chief Daniel Peters is convinced that the cancellation is politically motivated. He notes that the police did not see any insurmountable hurdles for carrying out the exhibition. The Ministry of the Interior and the police inspection had already submitted security plans that the security authorities rated as "reducing risk" because the exhibition would not expressly address the current conflict. Nevertheless, Peters wishes that a new exhibition date will be determined quickly.

The CDU parliamentary group sees the shift as a false signal and sees it as "shameful and politically dangerous". Koslik himself rejected an offer from the CDU parliamentary group to show his works in their rooms because he does not consider it suitable.

In a general context, observations from the art world describe that the politicization of the art business in Germany has increased significantly. The Middle East conflict has raised the discussion about art and politics to a new level. Artists and artists are faced with the challenge of dealing with sensitive topics without only giving up political statements. Like Deutschlandfunk , it is important that artists can offer new perspectives without having to act as political commentators.

The current geopolitical situation has also put the artistic examination of topics such as anti -Semitism and the Holocaust for the foreground. The art business is called on to make more brave decisions and to promote artistic work that pick up both relevant social issues and question developments in the global context.

Overall, this incident lets the discussion about the relationship between art and politics and the security situation in Germany re -infect. Koslik's exhibition initially moves indefinitely, while the artist community continues to struggle to artistically reflect on the current conflicts.