In the autumn of 2008, Amerika Haus Berlin e.V. was temporarily re-opened in time for the United States elections. Debates, an exhibition, lectures, and concerts were arranged under the overarching title "How Will America Vote?" The program naturally peaked with a full election night extravaganza of readings, interviews, cocktails, snacks and of course live coverage, bringing the house to life.
In this video we have interviewed some of the people involved in revitalizing the Amerika Haus. Alexander Longolius of the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation tells us about the history of the building, and Stefanie Averwald, program director of the event series "How Will America Vote?," describes the events around the elections. In the video you can see some of the events, including a debate with Charles A. Kupchan from Georgetown University.
Grit Kümmele, curator of the exhibition, tells of her efforts to bring a nuanced and developed picture of America to Amerika Haus. Denise Banks-Grasedyck of the American Church in Berlin speaks of the success of the event.
One of the main backers of the event was the German Federal Agency for Civic Education, represented by Lothar Kopp, who explains the platform for discussions that Amerika Haus could serve.
As Mark C. Donfried of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy explains, there is an ongoing attempt to fill the Amerika Haus with life again in the form of an open meeting point for civil society. This would give new opportunities for transatlantic dialogue. To further this effort, an initiative to permanently reopen the Amerika Haus has begun with Donfried and Stefanie Averwald chairing its steering committee, Amerika Haus Berlin Initiative. Currently the initiative is headed by Freundeskreis Amerika Haus e.V.
Related materials from the Atlantic Community:
- From the Editorial Team: A New Day Rising After Election Night
- From the Editorial Team: Excited About Obama, Realistic About Transatlantic Cooperation
- From the Editorial Team: Obama Will Win Back Europe's Support
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