Brüssel, 14. Juni 2011 / Brussels, 14 June 2011

Rede von Frau Bundesministerin Dr. Claudia Schmied anlässlich der Eröffnung der Ausstellung "In Between" in Brüssel, 14. Juni 2011

Speech by the Federal Minister Dr. Claudia Schmied on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition "In Between", Brussels, 14 June 2011

Copyright: EESC

Welcome to our "In Between" exhibition!

Dear Commissioner Vassiliou,
Dear Commissioner Hahn,
President Nilsson,
Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen!

We are delighted to be here with you in Brussels.

We did not come alone. We brought the exhibition "In Between. Austria Contemporary" along with us.

The curator of the exhibition is my employee Karin Zimmer. Co-Curator is Johanna Mayr-Keber. Thank you Karin! Thank you Johanna!

This exhibition is a compilation of contemporary art from the collection of the Republic of Austria.

Ladies and gentlemen, we want to give you a glance at the work of the artists in Austria.

Austria is rich in historical treasures.
Austria is powerful in contemporary art.

The "In Between" exhibition was first shown in Tel Aviv in the year 2008. Since then it has completed several stations.

Dear Commissioner Vassiliou, it was also exhibited in your country, in Cyprus, and Commissioner Hahn, dear Gio, it was most recently shown in St. Pölten, Lower Austria.

In my cultural and education policy it is an important goal to promote the artists.

I want them to establish a name for themselves both at home and abroad.

Ladies and gentlemen, for us the involvement with art is an important step into a school of perception and critical reflection.

As a member of the European Union, we committed us to the diversity of cultures. Therefore it is our goal to support artists in their artistic expressions as an element of understanding beyond borders.

Their work is valuable.

The economic security of artists is a crucial step to the freedom of art.

In times of public budget restrictions we therefore also need to pay attention to financing the arts.

I therefore truly hope that anchoring cultural projects in the European Structural Funds is successful.

This would be a fantastic statement for the arts backed with financial power and consequence!

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I hope you have a wonderful evening.

We would like to thank you for your invitation to Brussels.

The European and international exchange of experiences at a high cultural level is important. Therefore we like coming here.

Furthermore, I enjoy always seeing you.
Dear Gio, the Minoritenplatz in Vienna misses you.
Thank you!
Ladies and gentlemen! The exhibition “In Between. Austria Contemporary” is opened!

Copyright Johanna Mayr-Keber

Copyright Johanna Mayr-Keber

Geändert am 15.06.2011