Berlin Conference 2025
21 years after its first edition in 2004, the Berlin Conference continues to show how essential culture is for Europe’s freedom, cohesion, and democratic strength.
In times of growing uncertainty, the Berlin Conference offers a much-needed space for dialogue between the arts, civil society, and politics – bridging personal commitment with collective responsibility.
Organised by Stiftung Zukunft Berlin in cooperation with the civil society initiative A Soul for Europe, the European Festivals Association, and the Evangelische Akademie zu Berlin, the Berlin Conference brings together voices, perspectives, and networks from across Europe to help shape a common democratic future.
The Berlin Conference 2025 will take place on 6 and 7 November in the Allianz Forum, located next to the Brandenburg Gate – a symbolic setting for European dialogue.
This year, we will explore how arts and culture can help strengthen democratic resilience across Europe. We will address the consequences of different understandings of democracy, reflect on the role of culture in shaping civic participation, and develop creative responses to societal challenges - always with the aim of turning ideas into action.