Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan: these 13 countries established diplomatic relationships with Germany 30 years ago, creating a partnership of equals and establishing the foundation for successful cultural exchanges – two indispensable aspects of a successful binational cultural policy.

 

The cultural programme 13 Horizons runs from September to December 2022, paying tribute to the collective achievements of this era while developing a perspective for future cooperation. From Europe to Central Asia, the exciting intersection of multifaceted modernities and centuries-old cultural traditions has unfolded in venues across the city. The contributions of the 13 partners provide insight into the dynamic developments that shape their societies and highlight the potential of the next generation.

Peruse the programme and find out more on the 13 Horizons website.

Services: Event conceptualization, project management, marketing, PR, ticketing

 

• A performance of a Young Euro Classic Orchestra, including musicians from Germany, France and Russia, served as the festive final chord to the Year of Germany in Russia in 2020/2021. Originally planned as a highlight in the German programme of the St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, the concert, conceived in solidarity with host countries France and Germany, was cancelled due to the pandemic. The Orchestra Academy, consisting of young musicians from the German National Youth Orchestra, the Orchestre Français des Jeunes and the St. Petersburg Conservatory N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, moved to Berlin for a stirring performance at the Konzerthaus on Gendarmenmarkt. Under the direction of Ariane Matiakh, a programme of works by Fauré, Prokofiev and Beethoven was heard, combined with recitations by actor Jens Harzer in honour of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 200th birthday.
• An unparalled exchange was achieved between young German and Chinese musicians, starting with the Young Euro Classic Orchestra of Germany-China. The kick-off was a ceremonial performance celebrating 35 years of diplomatic relations in Beijing, which led to further innovative and artistic performances and exchanges from 2007-2019, including ceremonies marking the 40th and 45th anniversaries of German-Chinese relations. Committed partners enabled the implementation of the various projects, including LANXESS AG, the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the Lotto Foundation, as well as the Central Conservatory in Beijing, the Conservatories in Tianjing and Shanghai, the National Center for the Performing Arts, Beijing, the China National Peking Opera Company, the Berlin University of the Arts, Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate and John Neumeier’s National Youth Ballet.
• On the occasion of the Year of Germany in Brazil in 2013/2014, MINZ established an orchestra academy uniting 69 musicians from Germany and Brazil. After the festive introduction of the event series in the presence of the then German President Joachim Gauck, musicians of the binational orchestra toured 12 cities and 11 provinces of Brazil as a chamber ensemble. The almost 14,000 kilometres travelled and 16 concerts performed for enthusiastic audiences made it an unforgettable journey for our young musicians.
• To launch the opening of the Year of Germany in Russia 2012/2013, MINZ brought together superb musical talents from the Berlin University of the Arts and the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. The Russian-German orchestra shone as a symbol of Russian-German cooperation. The musicians enriched other events as well, such as a German-Russian science symposium and a vernissage at the Moscow State Historical Museum.
• To celebrate the inauguration of the Year of Germany in India in 2011/2012, MINZ founded an orchestra academy where Indian and German musicians juxtaposed the idiosyncrasies of European classic music with traditional Indian music. The results of this artistic cooperation were performed in the presence of the then German chancellor Angela Merkel and the then Indian Parliament Speaker Meria Kumar, as well as large accompanying delegations from business and politics.

Services: Event conceptualization, project management

To mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships between Germany and China in 2012, the “Middle Kingdom” produced numerous cultural events that drew on China’s millennia-old traditions and vibrant modernity. Snappy branding that aroused curiosity and a comprehensive marketing and PR campaign ensured that the events in the Berlin area were well received and widely attended.

For 15 years, MINZ has brought German and Chinese culture into a creative dialogue – Find out more here.

Services: Project management, marketing, PR

MINZ carried out a series of events to mark the Kazakhstan Year in Germany in 2009, building on successful and successive years of cooperation within the framework of German tours of the Astana State Philharmonic Orchestra. More than 200 artists from Kazakhstan travelled to Germany for the ceremonial opening. A fully booked house of 1,500 representatives of business, politics, and society welcomed them in the presence of the then Federal Presidents, Horst Köhler of Germany and Nursultan Nazarbayec of Kazakhstan.

Services: Project management, marketing, PR

The Georgian Cultural Days strove to bring the culture of Georgia in all its diversity to the German public. This multifacted series of events achieved this by spanning the spectrum from tradition to modernity: from polyphonic singing to modern literature, the programme offered numerous performances of a musical, literary, and cultural-social nature. The pinnacle of the festival was the exhibition entitled Georgian Spring, a photojournalistic travelogue by members of the famous Magnum Photos collective. The entire event series attracted many curious audience members and was accompanied by wide press coverage.

 

Services: Event conceptualization, marketing, PR

 

344 Azerbaijani artists traveled to Germany, and 35,902 German citizens bought tickets to the 63 events organized by MINZ within the framework of the Year of Azerbaijan in Germany in 2008. The series was so successful that additional events were added to meet the surging demand. The unique opportunity to get to know the culture of Azerbaijan during these 18 months through music, receptions, readings, and exhibitions was a huge hit, as evidenced by the broad nationwide and international press coverage.

Services: Event conceptualization, project management, marketing, PR