Goethe Institute director: Personal contacts between peoples of different cultural pivotal for inter- cultural bridges
Syria-Germany, Culture, 6/13/2001

"The German Goethe Cultural Center is one of the oldest foreign institutes in Damascus. It was founded in 1959," said the director general of the German Goethe Institute in Damascus Mr. Bgorn Luley in a statement to Arabic News.

Throughout its long presence in Syria, the Goethe Institute has been developed to one of the centers of cultural exchange between Syria and one of the leading EU countries, Mr. Luley added. From the 1960s until the 1980s hundreds of students from Syria went to Germany for further studies and most of them are now in important position at Syrian universities and ministries and other institutions.

He added that also up to the present times, the interest in learning German, studying in Germany and in cultural programs related to Germany is very high, adding: " therefore it is a pleasure for me as a director of the German cultural institute in Damascus to contribute to this long standing relations by organizing exhibitions, lectures, seminars, concerts, film sows, and other events which bring together German and Syrian artists to get to know each other and exchange experiences and ideas on common interests ."

He continued: " In this respect I would like to mention a Syrian- German seminar on opportunities and challenges of cultural globalization which will take place on Sunday June 24th at the Goethe Institute in Damascus with the high ranking Syrian and German participation.

Globalization and its reflections is a topic that is being discussed all around the globe and we hope that we van add to the fruitful discussion by bringing together Syrian and German intellectuals to discuss about this matter. He added:" when we discuss for example musical event like concerts and workshops with German artists, we always try to also bring them together with Syrian counterparts because we think that personal contacts between peoples from different cultural backgrounds are pivotal to build inter- cultural bridges."

He said: " the basis of our cultural activity in the 120 Goethe Institute in 76 countries is to maintain the dialogue between public and private institutions and us in order to cooperate on a basis of shared responsibility and joint- venture activities ." If, for example, the Higher Institute for music in Damascus which is one of our long standing and important partners asks us to invite a musician from Germany to hold a two- week workshop in Damascus, it is self- understandood that accommodation and food are being provided by the Syrian side ( the ministry of culture) which is also one of our important partners, whereas the travel expenses and the honorarium are being paid by the German side.."

He continued that part of the Institute's activities is to invite Syrian partners to travel and visit institutions or festivals or seminars dealing with his professional background. Being a cultural institute, the Goethe Institute obviously concentrates its activities more in the cultural domain; but our understanding of culture is wide and open, therefore:" you will find in our program, events dealing with literature music and theatre, as well as environmental protection, solar energy and consumer rights. Most of our partners with which we are cooperating are faculties of universities, the ministry of culture or other institutions in the cultural domain."

He said that: " One of the priorities for the near future is to help establish a German language study Center at Damascus university which will be hopefully opened soon in order to facilitate for the student of Damascus university, the learning of the German- language and the contact with the German culture in general. With all these activities we try to continue to intensify Syrian- German relations which have a long- history and bring as many as possible Syrians and Germans together to learn from each other and gain from each other's experience."

Previous Stories:
  Goethe Institute for boosting cultural ties with Syrian partners   (11/20/2000)

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