Conference 2025 Programme

Kristin Geschwäntner is project manager of Kultür Potsdam and chair of the Federal Association for Cultural Participation e.V., where she advocates for cultural participation and social inclusion. Kultür Potsdam, an initiative of the association Neue Kulturwege e.V., works for barrier-free access to art and culture in Potsdam. The project provides free tickets to cultural events for people with low incomes and collaborates closely with local cultural partners. The aim is to enable cultural participation regardless of financial means.

Luis Santiago is General Coordinator and socio-cultural mediator at Cultur’all a.s.b.l. in Luxembourg. With this initiative he facilitates access to cultural offerings for socially and economically disadvantaged people. Cultur’all works with social institutions, theatres, museums and festivals, thereby connecting different areas of society. An important participation tool is the Culture Pass, a programme that offers people with low incomes discounted access to cultural events. The Culture Pass creates concrete opportunities for participation and promotes inclusion, equal opportunities and a diverse society.

The conductor Mariano Domingo leads the inclusive music project Werkstatt Utopia at KulturLeben Berlin. At its centre is the Utopia Orchestra, Germany’s first inclusive symphony orchestra. People with and without disabilities make music together, united by their love of music. Mariano Domingo places particular emphasis on accessibility, inclusion and public performances to sustainably promote cultural participation and creative collaboration.