The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has kept this theme in mind with its projects and events. Under the motto »Wünsch Dir Weimar«, posters will be put up in shops, university buildings and other public institutions during Intercultural Week with the aim of making the experiences and wishes of international students, doctoral candidates and refugees – as well as the work of those involved in the Welcome Weimar Network – visible. The posters contain quotes from more than 20 interviews with groups from the university – the Bauhaus Internationals, the Welcome Weimar Network, the International PhD Network, the International Office and the Diversity Department. Radio Lotte will be broadcasting a soundcollage, making it possible to hear the voices of the interviewees. Both the posters and the soundcollage were conceived and designed by university students.

The interviews illustrate the high level of interest that students, doctoral candidates and refugees have in developing closer contact and cultural and linguistic exchange with people in the city. Interviewees share both positive and negative experiences that they have had in Weimar. »It was important for us to show the broad spectrum of experiences and to allow the many voices to have their say, especially those critical voices. Our university has a high proportion of international students and doctoral candidates and we want them to feel comfortable at the university and in the city. This is another reason why we we want to address and draw attention to discrimination they have experienced. Change can only be initiated if people are aware of the issues«, says Miriam Benteler, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Diversity Officer, summarising the goals of the project.

The Language Café is offering an opportunity for cultural exchange and the chance to get to know one another better by communicating face-to-face. The Language Café usually meets in the M18 student building on the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar campus. For the Intercultural Week, the Café is opening online for everyone in Weimar. Those interested can directly get to know international students and doctoral candidates at the university and expand their own language skills while at the same time supporting those who are learning German.

The »Decolonize Weimar« project, developed at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar also opens up a dialogue; the interactive city tour is guided by students and shows Weimar's colonial past in various locations. The tour deals with the cultural amnesia and racist structures that continue to have an effect today.

Once the corona-related restrictions allow it, panel discussions and public events will again take place and critically address topics such as colonialism and (everyday) racism and how they affect the university science and society, allowing a direct exchange with the people of Weimar.

Intercultural Week 2020 - Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Contributions

»Wünsch Dir Weimar« - Poster Exhibition in Weimar’s City Centre
Sunday, 27 September 2020 - Sunday, October 4 2020

»Wünsch Dir Weimar« - Soundcollage Created by Students on Radio Lotte Weimar
Thursday, 1 October 2020, 12-1 pm

Digital Weimar Language Café
Friday, 2 October 2020, 7 pm
online at: https://meeting.uni-weimar.de/b/vio-sqj-fws

»Decolonise Weimar« City Tour
Saturday, 2 October 2020, 3 pm
Register via e-mail to julia.bee[at]uni-weimar.de
Meeting point will be communicated via e-mail

Weimar Intercultural Week Programme

City of Weimar Press Release on Intercultural Week

Contact

For further information, please contact Miriam Benteler, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Diversity Officer, by phone at +49 (0) 3643/58 42 43 or by e-mail at miriam.benteler[at]uni-weimar.de