Courageous steps

Panel
June 17, 2026
Free entrance

Presented by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes

Following opening remarks by Katarzyna Wielga-Skolimowska, Artistic Director of the German Federal Cultural Foundation, and Dr. Carsten Brosda, Hamburg's Senator for Culture and Media, cultural policymakers and administrators from federal, state and municipal levels will engage in conversation with experts from the dance sector. Three moderated dialogues will explore the social impact of dance while offering insights into different areas of professional practice: from engaging young audiences and strengthening visibility and infrastructure in regional states, to the role of ballet companies within urban communities. A concluding panel discussion bringing together all speakers will revisit key themes from the preceding dialogues and look ahead to future perspectives for dance.

Dialogues

Nancy Faeser, Member of the German Bundestag and Member of the Committee on Culture and Media &
Simone Schulte-Aladağ, Artistic Director of Fokus Tanz, Munich

Katerina Schumacher, Head of the Department for Culture, Ministry of Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania &
Dr. Elisabeth Nehring, Director of the Dance Office Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Stralsund

Prof. Dr. Julia Lehner, Former Second Mayor and Former Head of Cultural Affairs of the City of Nuremberg &
Richard Siegal, Artistic Director of Ballet of Difference, Staatstheater Nürnberg

Moderator: Katja Bigalke (journalist and moderator)