Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences and Alanus Werkhaus celebrate “50 Years of Alanus”

Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences has grown enormously over the past 50 years and has reinvented itself several times – this is being celebrated under the motto “Shaping society for the future”!

The history of Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, where free development has been central from the very beginning, has been eventful: in 1973, a small group of anthroposophically minded free thinkers around the artist Wilfried Ogilvie founded an independent art study center in an old four-sided farmhouse on the edge of the Kottenforst nature reserve in Alfter, far removed from conventional norms. Even back then, the founders’ idea was to initiate social change through art and to teach and learn in an interdisciplinary way. Over the years, this ‘rebellious seedbed’ has developed into a private university of arts and society that has been state-recognized for twenty years. “Despite all the change and redefinition, the special ‘Alanus spirit’ has remained alive to this day,” enthuses Rector Hans-Joachim Pieper: “Our core idea is to help shape society through the interdisciplinary exchange between art and science and to contribute to a good life for all of us and for future generations.”

As part of the anniversary, the interdisciplinary event series “Art from 50 Years of Alanus” (from 20 March) invites visitors on a journey of discovery through the dynamic ‘Alanus art history.’ In addition, the practice forum “Sustainable Shaping of Society” (from 30 March) will discuss current challenges of socio-ecological transformation and gender equality. High-profile guests are expected, such as Katrin Göring-Eckardt of Alliance 90/The Greens and Vice President of the German Bundestag, who will take part on 6 June in the panel discussion on the topic “Why has the energy transition so far failed in practical implementation?” In June, the anniversary tour of the Fine Arts (16–18 June) will also attract visitors with the graduation projects of the academic year. The official anniversary ceremony with invited guests will take place on 29 September. Further events from the university’s departments will be published here over the course of the anniversary year.

Event program:

• Internal kick-off event with business activist Jule Bosch (on 13 March)
• Interdisciplinary event series “Art from 50 Years of Alanus” (from 20 March)
• Reading Roland Kaehlbrandt “German – A Declaration of Love” (on 22 March)
• Exhibition “Anything but Animal Feed” (from 25 March)
• Practice forum “Sustainable Shaping of Society” (from 30 March)
• Research colloquium – Institute for Philosophical and Aesthetic Education (from 19 April)
• Action program “Unfreeze Your Brain” // Center for Art and Media (ZKM) Karlsruhe (on 13 May)
• Action program “Unfreeze Your Brain” // Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences (on 01. & 02.06.)
• Anniversary tour Fine Arts (from 16 June)
• Ceremony for invited guests (on 29 September)

Unless otherwise stated, all events take place at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences.

Contact for press inquiries:
+49 (0)2222 9321 -1942 / -1944
presse@alanus.edu