A guide to the export and import of cultural goods between Russia ...

Chapter 3: European Union Member States
Germany
CHAPTER
German–Russian cultural relations have further intensified over the last years and are increasingly
embracing the regions outside Moscow and St. Petersburg. Numerous active
partnerships involving towns, schools, other institutions and citizens prove the importance
of cultural and inter-societal exchange.
The Goethe Institute is active in many parts of Russia. Numerous other German cultural
organisations are also represented. With an extensive two-year programme in 2003/2004
under the patronage of the Presidents of the two countries, German–Russian cultural
exchange has made an important and innovative contribution to deepening the relations
between German and Russian societies.
Examples of Germany’s cultural presence in Moscow in 2006 are the exhibition of magnificent
art works from the Green Vault in Dresden and a concert by violinist Anne Sophie Mutter.
In 2007 the audience in Russia looked forward to a unique exhibition about the Merovingian
dynasty and a guest performance of the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch Company.
In Germany, masterpieces from the ‘Big Four’ Russian museums were exhibited,
and a unique exhibition brought the rich legacy of the Scythians to the public.
WHAT LEGISLATION APPLIES TO THE IMPORT/EXPORT OF CULTURAL GOODS
BETWEEN GERMANY AND RUSSIA?
NATIONAL
1998: Cultural Goods Protection Law: Kulturgutsicherungsgesetz – KultgutSiG
(Act Implementing Directives of the European Communities on the Return of Cultural Objects
Unlawfully Removed from the Territory of a Member State and Amending the Act to Prevent
the Exodus of German Cultural Property)
1999 and 2001: Revised texts of the Act to Prevent the Exodus of German Cultural Property
– KultgSchG – http://bundesrecht.juris.de/kultgschg/index.html
INTERNATIONAL
European Community legislation is applicable as explained in Chapter 2
The legislative procedure for incorporating the UNESCO Convention of 1970 has been
initiated in Germany.
Who is responsible for implementing these regulations?
There are two levels of competence: the federal states (Bundesländer) level and the federal/national
(Bund) level. Each applies to different areas of responsibility.
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