Italian journey

I had the pleasure of meeting Claudia Roth in Venice, the Minister of State for Culture and Media in the German government led by Olaf Scholz. The occasion was a tribute to the Jewish Community of Venice by this significant political figure. What immediately caught my attention was the absence of rhetoric in Claudia Roth’s words and gestures, a different lesson in political style and in the vision of history compared to Italian habits. Addressing delicate and highly sensitive issues in the home of those who have suffered the worst infamy of humanity with the dignity of someone speaking for a country that has not hesitated to come to terms with history, makes a difference in human and political terms. Claudia Roth, a member of the Green Party, has focused her political activity, both in her country and in the European Parliament, on multiculturalism, the protection of minorities, support for LGBT individuals in Germany and Europe, and integration in the European continent. Even the approach to the interview that follows tells of a different way of conceiving politics compared to the customs in our country. Here, thanks to the German Center for Venetian Studies and the tireless and invaluable work of Petra Schaefer, a casual introduction was enough for everything to flow smoothly. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ is extended to Dr. Jens Althoff, spokesperson and head of communication for Minister Roth.

Culture can provide guidance in such times, raise the right questions, offer clarity, and what’s equally important, assist people in expressing their emotions, fears, and traumas.

Your Country always dedicated a sizable portion of its budget to culture. From your point of view as a member of the cabinet, how would you comment on the state of culture in Germany?
Germany is a federal state where the field of culture is primarily under the legal competence of the states. That’s why the major part of cultural initiatives is funded by the sixteen federal states and their local governments, while the federal level primarily supports cultural projects and institutions that hold special importance for the entire country. Germany continues to have a very rich cultural landscape with a variety of cultural institutions on all government levels: local and federal. However, the moments we anticipate, already shaped by multiple crises, will be challenging for the cultural sector as well when it comes to budget restrictions. It is crucial to highlight, especially during crises, that culture is not an entertainment or a mere extension in the variety of human activity fields, but an essential tool for democracy that must be preserved and nurtured. Culture can provide guidance in such times, raise the right questions, offer clarity, and what’s equally important, assist people in expressing their emotions, fears, and traumas. As far as Germany goes, I believe that it is important to establish a stronger legal foundation for culture at the federal level. I am working to include culture among the stated goals of Germany’s Constitution. However, a majority of two third is needed in the German parliament to accomplish this, and the conservative opposition is not supportive so far.

At the moment, there are hundreds and thousands of people in the streets of Germany protesting for an open, inclusive, and diverse society, standing together against the regressive far right represented by AfD. This is a strong sign which gives a lot of hope.

Differently from Italy, Germany seemed to have been more severe in dealing with its tragic, cumbersome past. This has been called into question, though, as news reported on a high number of citizens potentially voting for a far-right, xenophobic party such as AfD. Right-wing parties in Europe, especially Italy, are growing, and the Trump danger lurks in America. Why, in your opinion, traditional politics cannot understand people’s needs? What can we, and must we, do to stop and reverse this course?
It seems to me that there are two different issues arising. First of all, I wouldn’t say that traditional politics is unable to understand people’s needs. I believe that many of the current traditional parties are able to translate the people’s voice into concrete action. However, in a pluralistic democracy, there are different ways of dealing with growing challenges in times of deep and rapid changes. These challenges have been following us since the pandemic started which by way hit Italy more severely than Germany. Right after, before we had even recovered from the consequences of Covid19, Russia initiated a war in the middle of Europe by attacking Ukraine. The war in Ukraine ongoing, we were faced with another tragedy: Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel and the current war in the Middle East. On another note, we are also experiencing an expeditious climate emergency. These simultaneous situations create an environment of instability and insecurity—a ground which the anti-democratic forces attempt to exploit for their own benefit by providing very simplistic answers and pretending to offer solutions, often by targeting specific members of a social group, like refugees, to blame for these crises. In the European elections and the regional elections taking place in Eastern Germany, a party like Alternative für Deutschland might receive satisfying results. In such a situation, as part of the governing administration, we must actively work to regain trust by implementing tangible and meaningful solutions that directly impact people’s lives. At the moment, there are hundreds and thousands of people in the streets of Germany protesting for an open, inclusive, and diverse society, standing together against the regressive far right represented by AfD. This is a strong sign which gives a lot of hope.

There has always been a strong bond between Venice and Germany, even in culture. The German Centre for Venetian Studies and the German Pavilion at the Biennale are a qualified, important presence in our city. What are we looking forward to in terms of initiatives to strengthen the cultural presence of Germany in Venice and in Italy?
There is indeed a strong bond and cooperation between Venice and Germany. I am especially thankful to the German Centre for Venetian Studies for their outstanding work. The Centre seems to be impressively rooted in the cultural life of Venice. My administration will make sure to further support the work of the Centre in the future in the same way as previously, despite the cuts in Germany’s federal budget. Apart from that, I am looking forward to the 2024 Biennale Arte and the Italo-German artistic exchanges that are about to take place. Moreover, the fact that Italy is the Frankfurt Book Fair’s guest country this year is an exceptional chance to showcase the abundant literary culture of Italy in Germany. I also hope that Venice will have a significant presence at the event.

We must protect and support Jewish life all over Europe, make it visible and audible as much as possible.

With your homage to the Venetian Jewish community, You offered a lesson of human and political demeanor, a poignant participation devoid of any empty rhetoric and full of courage. Can you remind us of the words of your father about the past of Germany, whose responsibility is to be distributed, however in lesser proportions, to those who were born after the fall of the Nazi regime?
From a young age, my father instilled in me the understanding that neither I nor my generation bore responsibility for the atrocities that occurred in Germany during the Nazi regime: the Holocaust, the most heinous crime in human history. However, he made it very clear that it is our responsibility, as individuals and a collective, to make sure that it would never happen again. Thus “never again” has always been a crucial leitmotif throughout my entire political life. In Venice as well, the Nazi regime deported and murdered members of the Jewish community in concentration camps. Witnessing and engaging with the vibrant Jewish community thriving there today deeply moved me. That felt so good to see and experience! We must protect and support Jewish life all over Europe, make it visible and audible as much as possible. Even more so now, when after the terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, we have observed a disturbing surge in antisemitism across Europe. It is imperative that we collectively stand firm against antisemitism and combat it vigorously throughout the continent. Furthermore, Germany has a special responsibility to be the first one in doing so.

As the upcoming European Parliament elections approach, can you spare some optimism and convince us that culture will have the strength to be a deterrent against populism and nationalism?
The concept of “never again” propelled European integration forward, serving as a response to the dire consequences that European history bore due to nationalism. In these European elections it is crucial that the anti-European and anti-democratic forces within the EU Parliament are not provided with any possibility to destroy our precious and common European home. Someone like Vladimir Putin is wishing exactly for the destruction of this home. Preventing this from occurring is a responsibility that falls upon each individual citizen in the EU, the civil society, and everyone else collectively. We must keep in mind nevertheless that art should first and foremost remain free. Artists shouldn’t be obliged to follow any political purpose. However, art and culture as subjects of democracy par excellence can enable spaces for free and fair dialogue, where people with different views are brought together to build bridges of common sense. Like this, art too can contribute to preserving and improving democracy in our European home.