Cultural and educational workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are expressing significant concerns over the plans put forward by the AfD (Alternative for Germany). These worries stem from a non-public draft “government program” that is scheduled to be adopted at the AfD state party conference this Saturday, and the newspaper has cited the document.
According to the draft, the AfD intends to promote traditional “folk art” while also reviewing and scrutinizing “ideologically motivated projects”. Furthermore, the plans stipulate that in future public construction projects, a “local architectural style” must be adopted, though the specific details of what this entails remain unclear.
Hans-Georg Wegner, the director of the Mecklenburg State Theater in Schwerin, told the FAZ that “art requires freedom, and we are extremely worried about that”. Wegner highlighted that his theater employs people from 22 different nations, including individuals who do not have German roots. He stated that some of these employees have felt threatened and anxious. His theater is 100% owned by the state and would be directly impacted by potential restrictions should the AfD govern after the state election in September.
Birte Bernstein, who sits on the board of the State Association of Free Performing Arts in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (fredak), echoed these fears, stating, “We fear that we will be restricted both financially and in terms of content”. She warned, “If funding disappears across the board, we will be paralyzed”.
The concerns extend to the architectural sector as well. The AfD’s program draft states that public authorities significantly shape city centers and infrastructure through building projects, noting that a “faceless” modern architecture has become widespread. It argues that regional building styles are rarely found today, leading to a lack of identification with the homeland. While proposing that a “local architectural style” be mandated for public buildings, the document fails to provide an outline of what this style should look like.
Christoph Meyn, President of the Architects Chamber of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, told the FAZ that any political determination of cultural or built-cultural goals is “highly problematic”. He maintained that the cultural landscape fostered today in the 21st century is a reflection of an open society.
Meanwhile, the AfD critiques the current coalition government in the region, claiming that it is “systematically” striving to “replace the German-oriented society with a multicultural society”. Regarding schools, the AfD proposes implementing “re-education programs” and restricting “early sexualization”. Their goal is to ensure that educational content conveys “a life-affirming, responsible family model”.
Sandra Astarás, the head of the education and science workers’ union (GEW) in the northeast, assured the FAZ that teachers are all committed to the democratic constitutional order. She pointed out that both the Basic Law and the state and school constitutions protect these values. However, Astarás cautioned that in the school sector, matters are currently regulated extensively and far-reachingly through decrees and orders that are not subject to parliamentary control. She warned that a potential involvement of the AfD in government could profoundly change the educational landscape.
