Trustees, friends and alumnis of the American Academy Berlin met in New York
The American Academy Berlin invited friends and partners to an impressive and informative tour by curator Christian Rattemeyer through the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) exhibition “Compass in Hand: Selections from The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection”. The tour was followed by a reception at the residence of Consul General Dr. Horst Freitag.
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- Consul General Freitag and Co-Chairman Karl von der Heyden at the reception at the Consul General's residence
- (© Nicole Busse)
Dr. Freitag welcomed the distinguished guests and stressed that “the American Academy has become a landmark institution of Berlin – perhaps as popular and famous as Checkpoint Charly and as much appreciated as the American support and protection during the time when Berlin was a devided city. It is one of the key instituions which significantly contributes to building common ground between the US and Germany.”
Karl M. von der Heyden, one of the Co- Chairmen of the American Academy (the other Chair is held by Henry Kissinger) explained the mission and the importance of the non-partisan institution that is located in the beautiful Henry Arnhold Center at the shores of Berlin Wannsee.
The American Academy (www.americanacademy.de) was established in 1994. Its primary goal is to foster greater understanding and dialogue between the people of the United States and the people of Germany through its presence in Berlin, a city “with which the United States should maintain its unique cultural, social, political, and historical links”.
The Academy offers residential fellowships at its Hans Arnhold Center to American scholars, writers, policymakers, and artists, permitting them to pursue their work in a manner that encourages participation in the vibrant life of Berlin and Germany. It also brings leading Americans to Berlin for visits to facilitate a robust exchange of views between the people of Germany and the United States. For example, currently the author Jonathan Franzen is staying at the Academy as distinguished visitor.
Both, Mr von der Heyden and Consul General Freitag, extended their special thanks for the support of the trustees of the Academy. Their generous help turned the plan of an American Academy in Berlin into reality.
In 2009, the American Academy opened an office in New York to coordinate its US events that will help making the Academy better known in the United States, and foster the bonds to the Academy’s alumnis and fellows.
