Goethe-Institut in Exile

In recent years, cultural institutions such as the Goethe-Institut have repeatedly been forced to suspend or relocate their work at various locations. In countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Belarus, and Sudan, important spaces for international exchange, for art, culture, dissent, and critical discourse have been lost. Artists and partners with whom the Goethe-Institut has worked for many years have had to or are forced to leave their homeland. Launched in October 2022, the Goethe-Institut in Exile project represents those Goethe-Instituts worldwide that can no longer operate in their host countries, or can only operate to a limited extent, and aims to provide a platform and space for encounters and exchange. The aim is to strengthen existing networks and forge new civil society connections at the international level. In this way, important regional and global discourses are continued and made visible and audible.  The Goethe-Institut in Exile program focuses on specific countries, but events and activities related to current situations also take place on the topic of art and culture in exile. The focus is on performances, film programs, readings, concerts, exhibitions, as well as discussions, workshops, networking events, and longer-term collaborations by and with artists and cultural workers with refugee or exile experiences.  The regular event program takes place primarily at the Berlin Kunsthaus ACUD, where the Goethe-Institut in Exile's project office is located. In addition, program items are also held at other venues in Germany, internationally, and digitally. In this way, the international work of the Goethe-Institut can be experienced in Germany and beyond. You can find out more in our events calendar .