Berlin Senate Cuts Funding for Cultural Center Oyoun Over Alleged “Hidden Antisemitism”

On November 20, 2023 the Berlin Senate for Culture announced that the funding for Oyoun will be discontinued by the end of this year.

Founded in 2020 as a state-funded project and run by a mostly marginalized crew, Oyoun (Kultur NeuDenken) has been providing an intersectional platform for migrant, decolonial and queer*feminist arts and culture in Berlin. In the last months, the Senate had put pressure on Oyoun to cancel the event organized by Jüdische Stimme (Jewish Voice for Just Peace in the Middle East) that was to be held on November 4th. Jüdische Stimme is a Jewish organization in Germany dedicated to just and lasting peace between Palestine and Israel. Marking their 20th anniversary and “in the shadow of October 7th, the continuous bombings in Gaza and the horrific numbers of the deaths of civilians,” this event was meant to be an evening of “mourning and hope.” There would be speeches, music, traditional food of Jewish mourning ritual Shiva and exhibition of Palestinian and Israeli artists.

In response to the Senate’s demand, Oyoun expressed its stance in an open statement: “In the face of the grief and sorrow they are currently going through after losing loved ones to the widely condemned brutal murders committed by the terrorist organization Hamas as well as by the right-wing Israeli government, we will not bow to the pressure exerted by the Senate. This event will take place on November 4th and provide a shared space of grief and allow their important work to be continued at this critical time.” The statement also emphasized Oyoun’s role as a cultural institution: “As a cultural organization in a democratic state like Germany, it is our duty to foster transnational solidarity beyond borders, beyond race, ethnicity, religion and nationality and to ensure that artistic freedom and freedom of speech are protected, promoted and upheld, especially under the most critical circumstances. [...] Stop the war. End the occupation. Protect civilians on all sides.”

Although the event could take place as planned, Oyoun had to face serious repercussions. On October 31st, Susanna Kahlefeld, an MP of the Green Party, appealed to cease the funding for Oyoun, accusing it for its “antisemitic manner” and “victim-blaming.” On the following day, the Senator for Culture Joe Chialo (CDU) announced that he would review the request to quickly take action. The AfD party expressed gratitude for his prompt reaction. On November 10th, Oyoun published an open letter: “The cancellation of Oyoun’s funding would mark the end of freedom of speech and artistic freedom in Germany. [...] We call on the Senate to grant further funding to Oyoun and protect migrant, queer*feminist and Jewish life in Germany. Oyoun must stay. Especially in Germany. Especially now.”
On November 20th, the Senate announced that the funding for Oyoun will be discontinued by the end of this year, accusing Oyoun for its “hidden antisemitism”. Oyoun, who had their four-year project funding for 2022-2025 (Konzeptförderung) confirmed by the previous Senate, posted on its Instagram on the following day saying, “Oyoun’s funding will be cut, and the space will be shut – next month.”