Diplomatic World 67

Tolerance and respect – without both of them, our cultural
Europe cannot function. This is true for my country as it is for
all others, including Russia. Diversity needs to be protected
everywhere. And since we have gathered here in Moscow today,
I do want to point out that my government and many, a great
many Europeans are concerned by the shrinking of space here
for civil society organisations and for the important cross-border
dialogue at civil society level, including with us – particularly at
this time.
With Diversity United, the artists are now in the spotlight, drawing
on their exceptional perspicacity to show us their thoughts on
Europe.
That’s the strong message of today: the artists are showing us
that cooperation works in their circles. Together, they are showcasing
Europe’s superb contemporary art; they are demonstrating
European civil-society cooperation in its best light. Indeed,
in some sense, these artists are showing our diplomats and
politicians the way forward.
To conclude, therefore, as German ambassador, I am proud that
here in Moscow, after Berlin and before in France, we now have
an exhibition of a truly European character on display: an exhibition
involving 90 artists, some of them world renowned, from 34
countries – with Germans and Russians among them.
I am certain that the people of Moscow and Russia will be curious
about this exhibition and the many discussions and workshops
in the accompanying programme over the coming months,
eager for stimulus, agreement and dissent – the stuff Europe and
our times are made of.
The people of Moscow can look forward to encounters with
Europe and thus with their own selves.
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