Open to all people interested.
Crash-Kurs: Narrating Europe: Artistic Positioning Between Conflict and Responsibility
Narrating Europe: Artistic Positioning Between Conflict and Responsibility
Thirty-five years ago, the founding of the Weimar Triangle marked the creation of a political space for dialogue between formerly hostile nations, grounded in the idea of understanding and reconciliation. Today, that very spirit of dialogue is under renewed pressure. Polarization, competing realities, and entrenched narratives shape public discourse. What does this mean for artists and cultural practitioners whose work engages with real-world contexts?
This interactive crash course explores the intersection of artistic storytelling and peacebuilding. It is designed for artists and media practitioners working in film, journalism, audio, literature, photography, or other publicly engaged narrative forms who wish to critically reflect on their own narrative positioning.
Across three interconnected sessions, we combine creative exploration with analytical tools:
Session 1: Making narratives visible – exploring polarization
Session 2: Who speaks for whom? – power and positioning
Session 3: Reframing – Reframing – telling conflicts in nuanced and responsible ways
Participants are welcome to bring their own projects. We will also work with shared case studies as an open space for experimentation. The course complements the Bauhaus Summer School by offering a space for reflection in which artistic practice is understood as part of wider societal negotiation.
After the course, participants will leave with: – practical tools for conflict and narrative analysis – a deeper awareness of their own role as storytellers – impulses for sharpening their stance in contexts of societal polarization
As a director and cinematographer, Nicola Hens has realized several award-winning documentary films. Her interests center on how artistic storytelling engages with conflict and dialogue in society.
She studied Media Design at Bauhaus University Weimar, later working there for several years as an artistic associate, and continued her studies in cinematography at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (dffb) and in Communication for Development at the Univeristy of Malmö (Sweden).
In recent years, she has served as an advisor on conflict-sensitive media practice for the German Agency for International Cooperation (giz) in the Philippines, supporting journalists and civil society actors in matters of narrative formation, responsibility, and social impact.
In her workshops, she brings together artistic practice, conflict analysis, and dialogic approaches to create spaces for reflection, shifts of perspective, and creative experimentation.
The course fee is 50 EURO.
40 EURO Bauhaus Summer School 2026 participants
The course fee includes:
- Crash-course according to description
- Teaching materials
- Certificate
Please note our terms and conditions (admission conditions, cancellation conditions etc.)
The course fee does not include:
- Daily Lunch at the University Cafeteria (Monday - Friday)
- Internet access at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
- Free use of library
- Accompanying programme including excursions
- Free entrance to museums belonging to Klassik Stiftung Weimar
- Travel by public transport in Weimar
- Travel costs
- Accommodation
- Insurance
- Additional excursions
1. Registration
Simply register for the course here (starting January 2026).
2. Selection procedure
The number of participants is limited to 20. The earlier you register, the more likely it is that you will get a place.