Nationwide day of action
German Music universities set an example for respect, tolerance, and good relations
The University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar is participating in the nationwide action day “Art.Power.Humanity” organized by 24 German music universities on Thursday, November 27. Various events will be held to send a clear message against discrimination and abuse of power. Each university will organize this day individually. The action day is aimed at all students, teachers, and technical and administrative staff.
“We will do everything we can to ensure that German Music universities provide an environment characterized by respect, trust, tolerance, and humanity,” said Prof. Christian Fischer, Chairman of the Rectors' Conference of German Music universities (RKM). With this day of action, the RKM is sending a public signal for open discussion of power relations, prevention, and structural change—both internally and externally.
In Weimar, on November 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the Saal Am Palais, various formats will address, among other things, how the abusive use of power can be prevented. The focus will be on the following key questions, among others: What does a university community look like for me in which I can flourish in my studies, teaching, and work? How can necessary power be used sensibly, respectfully, and healthily? What can I myself contribute to shaping this community?
At the Weimar Music university, we offer this small, fine program the opportunity to address this topic through both reflection and performative elements,“ says the Vice President for Strategic University Development, Dr. Jens Ewen. ”It is a prelude to further work in this area, as we want to hold such a theme day annually in the future."
A keynote speech on the topic of “Utopian Thinking at Music universities” will be given at 2:00 p.m. in the Saal Am Palais by Prof. Dr. Alexandra Kertz-Welzel (Music Education, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich). This will be followed at 2:45 p.m. by a workshop with Svenja Wolff from “Frl. Wunder AG.” The workshop will examine how participants position themselves in the “university” community of responsibility, how they perceive their opportunities to develop effectiveness and get involved.
To this end, Svenja Wolff uses performative methods that make this positioning tangible and at the same time enable reflection. It will also address how power can be shaped as a necessary instrument for distributing responsibility, and how everyone can and must contribute to ensuring that roles and tasks can be performed.
The action day will conclude at 4:15 p.m. with a joint reflection session with all participants on the following questions, among others: How does this experience help us to get involved in the university community, to help shape change processes, to fulfill roles and tasks, and to remain resilient in the face of the challenges we face every day?
[21 November 2025]