Blog
Event ‘80 Years of Liberation from National Socialism’
To mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation invited participants to discuss war, the culture of remembrance, and international responsibility on 5 June 2025 in the lecture theatre ruins of the Charité Medical History Museum in Berlin.
80 years of liberation from National Socialism – 80 years of the end of the Second World War
To mark this historic date, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation remembers the victims and acknowledges the ongoing responsibility that it represents.
Kyrgyz evening: ‘ALA TOO – Symphony of the mountains’
Where classical music meets fashion! Yesterday, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation was invited to a special cultural evening: Entitled ‘ALA TOO – Symphony of the Mountains’, the event featured music, fashion and art.
Europe Lab: Call for participants
From 11 to 15 August, the Europe Lab 2025 will bring together young committed people from all over Europe and its neighbouring regions in Weimar to discuss social challenges and new perspectives for Europe. The focus is on dialogue, a culture of remembrance and the development of joint projects.
Focusing on Armenia
On 8 April 2025, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation brought together dedicated individuals from the worlds of civil society, diplomacy and politics in Berlin to discuss the prospects, challenges and opportunities of such cooperation. Thank you to all the participants for the open discussion, the inspiring ideas and the commitment to strengthening the partnership.
Pilot project launched
For the first time, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation has supported a project in the field of German-Ukrainian medical cooperation in a humanitarian context. From 26 to 28 March 2025, Dr M. B. Yatsuliak completed an internship at Marienstift Arnstadt in Thuringia.
Exhibition: ‘AK JOL – Stories of Solidarity’
From 28 February to 1 March 2025, discover the exhibition AK JOL – Stories of Solidarity by ArtCity e.V. at the Haus der Visionäre in Berlin, which combines art, movement and international solidarity. We are delighted to be able to support this project as a sponsor.
First Partnership Forum Germany-Central Asia Ended Successfully
Participants from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Germany responded very positively at the end of the exciting and intensive three-day event in Berlin, which took place from 25 to 27 November 2024. The forum is aimed at representatives of civil society, initiatives and other interested parties from Germany and the countries of Central Asia.
A joint declaration in support of the Germany-Central Asia Partnership Forum 2024
As part of his trip to Central Asia, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the Central Asian heads of state and government in Astana yesterday. As in previous bilateral meetings, the Z5+1 summit primarily focused on deepening economic cooperation, as well as security and migration issues.
The Federal Foreign Office is offering the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation Network Foundation the opportunity to organise ‘Town Hall Talks’
Through direct dialogue with diplomats, the Federal Foreign Office aims to make foreign policy tangible for interested parties outside Berlin. The aim is to share experiences on foreign policy issues.
30 years of the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation
On 19 June 2024, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary with a festive event in Berlin. More than 140 guests came together to honour this special occasion and reflect on the past three decades.
Commemoration of the Day of Liberation on 8 May
On this day, we remember the millions of people in the Soviet Union who lost their lives in the fight against National Socialist tyranny. We also remember the heavy toll that the war took in Eastern Europe. This day reminds us to stand tirelessly up for democracy, human rights, and intercultural dialogue.
Analysis – Development of civil society in Central Asia
On 20 September 2023, organisations and associations involved in a wide range of civil society activities in cooperation with the countries of Central Asia met at the Federal Foreign Office for a second round table on ‘Issues and challenges in shaping civil society relations with Central Asia’. The event was organised by the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation and the Federal Association of German West-East Societies (BDWO). Dr Mahabat Sadyrbek, Associate at the Max Planck Institute for Ethnological Research and Deputy Chairwoman of the German-Kyrgyz Cultural Association, opened the event. She provided participants with an overview of civil society initiatives in Central Asia and its constituent states, considering state structures, social commitment, needs, and opportunities, particularly in relation to cooperation with Germany.
Exchange on social cooperation with Uzbekistan
On 18 January 2024, the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the German-Uzbek Society hosted a roundtable discussion. The following day, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation welcomed a delegation of Uzbek parliamentarians to its offices. Discussions about potential areas of cooperation with the Foundation also led to an online meeting with representatives of the Uzbek Association of Social Organisations.
Network meetings in Central Asia
At the end of October and beginning of November 2023, numerous meetings and discussions took place in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan between representatives of the Foundation and stakeholders from civil society, society, academia and politics. The purpose of the trip to Central Asia was to establish contacts with potential partners and interested initiatives and organisations.
Panel discussion: ‘A look at China – from the perspective of Central Asia’
As part of a conference entitled ‘Understanding China’ organised by the Protestant Academy of Saxony-Anhalt, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation held a panel discussion on 7 October 2023 entitled ‘A look at China – from the perspective of the neighbouring states’.
Press release: Central Asia – Expanding civil society cooperation
On 29 September 2023, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet with the presidents of all five Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – at the Federal Chancellery. Read the press release here.
Second Round Table: Civil Society in Central Asia
In the context of the planned visits of Central Asian heads of state to Germany at the end of September, the Federal Foreign Office hosted the Second Round Table on 20 September 2023. The event, titled ‘Issues and challenges in shaping civil society relations with Central Asia’, brought together key figures to discuss important issues.
Election observation in Uzbekistan
Early presidential elections were held on 9 July 2023. At the invitation of the Uzbek government, Managing Director Anna Kaiser represented the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation as an election observer. In Nukus, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, she visited several polling stations to witness the election process first-hand. The programme also included joint meetings with social organisations in Tashkent and Nukus.
Foundation summer party
This year’s Foundation summer party on 6 June 2023 was all about Uzbek art, culture and cuisine. After a guided tour of the newly opened exhibition ‘Archaeological Treasures from Uzbekistan’ in the James Simon Gallery, a selection of different Uzbek dishes and wines awaited the guests in the courtyard of the Nicolaihaus. The evening was accompanied by music from Trio SCHO.
Focusing on Kyrgyzstan
On 17 May 2023, as part of the international art festival Berlin x Bishkek Art Weeks, the round table discussion “Kyrgyzstan at a glance: Perspectives for Inter-Societal Cooperation” took place.
Berlin x Bishkek Art Weeks
From 12 May – 28 May 2013, the former car dealership on Moritzplatz in Berlin Kreuzberg will become a meeting place. Initiated by young creatives from Berlin and Bishkek, the capital of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the intercultural art festival ‘Berlin Bishkek Art Weeks’ will take place there and is supported by the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation, among others.
Focusing on Moldova
Discussion round and presentation of the current book ‘Realitatea’ by photographer Andrea Diefenbach, followed by a reception. Around 100 guests accepted the invitation from the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation on Thursday, 24 November 2022, at the PalaisPopulaire in Berlin.
Declaration: Committed to peace in Europe and the world!
8/9 May 2022 marks the 77th anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism. With the ‘unconditional surrender of all German troops’, the Second World War ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. In this war of extermination, Germany inflicted endless suffering on many peoples.
Photo exhibition: The Road Beyond – Ruslan Hrushchak
Together with Galerie Buchkunst Berlin, the West-Eastern Encounters Foundation is presenting the touching and poetic photographs by Ukrainian photographer Ruslan Hrushchak from his series ‘The Road Beyond’. The opening event will take place on Thursday, 12 May 2022 from 6 pm to 10 pm and will feature a comprehensive programme of events.
Statements on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The invasion by Russian troops is bringing suffering and violence to the Ukrainian people. It is threatening international understanding and cooperation for the foreseeable future. We stand in solidarity with those affected and call for a return to the negotiating table.
Read the full statement here.