TOGETHER | SEPARATED. CULTURE - EUROPE - POLICY

Art, Culture, and Rights: Reflecting on the Charter of Fundamental Rights in Cologne  

Right before the 2024 elections to the European Parliament, Democracy International joined forces with the Volkshochschule Cologne (VHS Köln) and the Europe Office of the City of Cologne to bring citizens together for a special event at the intersection of art, culture, and democracy.  Founded in 1919, VHS Köln is North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest adult education institution. Its long tradition of fostering education and civic engagement made it the perfect venue to host an evening dedicated to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.  

Aims of the Event

The gathering pursued three main goals:  

• Raising awareness of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and its six chapters through the lens of art, specifically via our exhibition Art of Fundamental Rights.  
• Encouraging citizen engagement, especially among new audiences, ahead of the European elections.  
• Reflecting and discussing the meaning of the Charter and the rights enshrined within it.  

A Dialogue Between Art and Democracy  

The evening began with an introduction to the project ChARTer, its EU funding, and the deep connection between art, culture, and rights. Seated among the artworks of the chARTer exhibition, participants were invited to reflect on the visual interpretations of the Charter’s rights and values.

From there, the programme moved into a lively panel debate on culture and rights in the EU, featuring candidates for the 2024 European Parliament elections from several parties: Claudia Walther (SPD), Rebekka Müller (Volt), Hauke Hintze (FDP), Liliane Pollmann (Grüne) and Attila Gümüs, Member of the district executive of Die Linke Köln and its cultural policy spokesperson. 

The panel brought together diverse voices—three women and two men, two of them 35 or younger—who engaged in a spirited discussion moderated by Dr. Henrike Viehrig, Office for Europe and International Affairs of the City of Cologne.  

Participants had the opportunity to question the candidates directly about the future role of the Charter and the place of culture in European policymaking. In the final round of questions, the floor was opened for broader concerns—allowing citizens to voice last-minute issues just three days before heading to the polls.  

An Evening of Exchange and Inspiration  

The formal programme transitioned into an informal reception, complete with food, drinks, and live jazz. The music set the tone for continued conversation as candidates and participants mingled on the exhibition floor, reflecting on how art and culture can strengthen our shared understanding of fundamental rights.  

Alongside the main exhibition, VHS Köln presented a second collection of works celebrating musicians and their instruments, reinforcing the theme of culture as a living expression of rights and freedoms. Visitors were also invited to take home our art posters and postcards inspired by the Charter—small, tangible reminders that keep the Charter’s principles present in daily life.  

Lasting Impact: The Exhibition Continues  

The chARTer exhibition remained on display at VHS Köln until 8 August, in a public space on the second floor. Every day, countless visitors encounter the exhibition as part of their educational journey. In this way, the artworks continue to spark reflection and bring awareness of rights to groups who are often excluded from democratic processes. Flyers distributed throughout Cologne’s VHS buildings further invited citizens to join the conversation and visit the exhibition.  

Looking Ahead  

The evening demonstrated the powerful role that culture and creativity can play in making European values tangible and accessible. By combining art, civic dialogue, and political debate, the event fostered both awareness and participation—ensuring that the Charter of Fundamental Rights continues to live not just in legal texts, but in the everyday experiences and reflections of citizens.