The House of World Cultures

The House of World Cultures is a leading centre for the contemporary arts and a venue for projects breaking through artistic boundaries.

The House of World Cultures has set itself the task of presenting cultures from outside Europe through their fine arts, theatre, music, literature, film and the media and engaging them in a public discourse with European cultures. The House of World Cultures’ programme focuses on the contemporary arts and current developments in the cultures of Africa, Asia and Latin America as well as on the artistic and cultural consequences of globalisation. It gives priority to projects that explore the possibilities of both intercultural co-operation and its presentation.

Projects are developed and presented in close co-operation with international experts, curators and artists.

A committee of experts comprising international artists and scientists advises the House of World Cultures on the development of its themes. The House also draws inspiration for important themes from its international network, which links it with cultural establishments and organisations round the globe. Original and innovative artistic programmes are developed in a discursive process from these network activities, and in close co-operation with the international curators.

The national and international reputation of the House of World Cultures is based on its innovative and experimental presentations of the fine arts, dance, theatre, film, literature and music as well as its international conferences.

Thanks to its large auditorium, exhibition hall, theatre hall and conference rooms, the House of World Cultures is able to stage events all the year round. Recurring annual events include the TranSonic festival project on new music, the In Transit performance festival, the popdeurope open-air music festival and the Festival of Sacred Music. The programme also features two series of events that are either theme-based or regional in character, such MEXartes.berlin.de. The interdisciplinary nature of our programme work and our endeavours to transcend divisions between the diverse specialisms make the House of World Cultures a unique venue. Exhibitions, readings, discussions, films, conferences, music, theatre and performances create new contexts as well as conditions for transcending artistic and cultural boundaries.