Aug 17–21, 2011

Festival Über Lebenskunst

101 hours at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt and in the city of Berlin

Conferences, workshops, installations, performances, concerts, films, excursions, discussions and readings

The crisis as an opportunity! Man-made climate change creates new perspectives on our local lifestyles and our understanding of global policy. Can a new "art of living" also ensure our survival? How do we define "good living" given the global ecological crisis? And how can we bring about a cultural change in habits and behaviour?

In cooperation with the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the German Federal Cultural Foundation initiated the multi-part Über Lebenskunst project which has been bringing together actors from widely varying disciplines to identify existing strategies and develop models of sustainable living fit for day-to-day life. During the Festival Über Lebenskunst, which spans 101 hours, artists, scientists and activists will turn the Haus der Kulturen der Welt into a place where visitors of all ages can try out the sustainable "art of living" around the clock. This "art of living" combines the enjoyment of life with active involvement – starting with a regional breakfast at the Haus, through to workshops, installations and excursions all the way to spending the night in temporary shelters.