Trickster Orchestra © Stefan Stahnke
Cultural Diversity
Diversity as a Driving Force for Musical Innovation
Cultural diversity is the foundation of a vibrant music scene and an open society. That is why the German Music Council is committed to its protection and long-term preservation. The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005) serves as our guide in this endeavor. In music, cultural diversity is reflected in the richness of national and international musical cultures, as well as in a vibrant exchange between different musical traditions. It encompasses both intercultural encounters and transcultural developments, in which cultural boundaries are crossed and new shared identities are created.
For us, cultural diversity is an indispensable value. It creates space for musical innovation, enriches artistic creative processes, opens up new perspectives, and strengthens social cohesion in a democratic and open society.
Wir engagieren uns für:
the recognition, promotion, and appreciation of the diversity of musical forms of expression in both professional and amateur contexts, as well as public funding practices that reflect this diversity and eliminate systemic disadvantages through diversely composed committees and criteria that take discrimination into account
a more closely networked system of music education, continuing education, and professional development that harnesses the diversity of musical cultures as an opportunity, recognizes artistic, pedagogical, and scholarly excellence in all its forms, further develops curricula and teaching staff, and incorporates international qualifications and diverse research perspectives in order to strengthen a sustainable music scene and counteract the shortage of skilled professionals
promoting international cultural mobility and breaking down barriers to global artistic exchange by ensuring that cultural policy recognizes cultural diversity and international cooperation as interdependent and creates appropriate conditions to support them
Further Informations
The position paper was published to mark UNESCO’s World Day for Cultural Diversity on May 21, 2026. It calls for the recognition and promotion of musical diversity in Germany, as well as improved conditions for education, exchange, and international cooperation.
The position paper focuses on the protection of cultural diversity, fair working conditions for artists, and increased cultural education and international cooperation.
The „Fair Culture Charta“ calls for fair pay, transparent working conditions, and greater social security for cultural workers. It advocates for equality, sustainability, and respectful collaboration in the cultural sector.
In their 15 Theses on Cultural Integration, the German Music Council and the German Cultural Council set forth key ideas for social cohesion in a diverse society. The theses focus on the themes of democracy, integration, education, diversity, and cohesion. The content of the theses was revised in 2024.
© S. Hauptmann
Cultural Diversity ass Intangible Cultural Heritage
Since the 2005 UNESCO Convention, traditions, customs, and forms of artistic expression have been protected as intangible cultural heritage in order to preserve cultural identity and promote it for future generations.
Current examples of intangible cultural heritage include the construction and playing of the Thuringian forest zither (photo), the Saxon boys’ choirs, and Berlin’s techno culture.
Fête de la Musique
© Christoph Mangler
Since 2024, the German Music Council and the nationwide Fête de la Musique network have been pooling their expertise to strengthen the Fête de la Musique as a nationwide day of action on June 21 in the long term. The MusikZentrum Hannover coordinates the network’s activities at the federal level. Fête de la Musique creates an open space for cultural diversity by bringing together people of different backgrounds and generations through shared music-making and musical encounters.
Contact
Nina Seidel-Polter
Speaker
E-Mail: generalsekretariat@musikrat.de