What does Maxim Gorki Theater do?

Under the direction of Shermin Langhoff, the Maxim Gorki Theater is a place where the art of making theatre is used to scrutinise how nations are built, and how identity and a sense of belonging are established - both from an historical perspective and by presenting reference points from other parts of the world.  It should be a place for a society in transition that invites public debate on how we can live together in a society that is diverse.

Why have we awarded a grant to the Gorki Theater?

The Maxim Gorki Theater has shown time and time again that it is clearly committed to the role and responsibility that art carries for public discourse; and at a time of ongoing political and economic crisis, this is of great importance to our society.  Using Thilo Bode’s book, “Die Diktatur der Konzerne” (‘The Dictatorship of the Corporations’) as a basis, the Maxim Gorki Theater’s programme will concentrate on three projects with accompanying discussions, providing a critical reflection on the power of corporations.

What have we achieved together?

It is rare both to find unusual insights into how we live together and to discover spaces where reflection takes place on how our society cohabits; and yet these are vital if our society is to have a future-oriented and open discussion on these issues.  The Schöpflin Foundation and the Maxim Gorki Theater are at one when it comes to promoting critical thinking and strengthening democratic processes in order that we constantly confront the question about the sort of society in which we want to live.