Meeting Brno 2017: Unity in Diversity

In its second year, the Meeting Brno festival continued to explore and illuminate the history of Moravia and its largest city—shaped not only by the Czech majority, but also significantly influenced by its German and Jewish communities. We had the honour of welcoming to Brno over one hundred descendants of the Jewish Tugendhat, Löw-Beer, and Stiassni families. Many of them met one another for the first time during the festival—and, perhaps more importantly, began to restore their relationship with Brno, a city where they finally felt truly welcome.

The perspective of our diverse history was not only a way to recall events that must never be forgotten—it also served as a lens through which to view today’s most pressing social issues.

In 2017, through a series of thought-provoking discussions and artistic performances, we explored the theme of “otherness”—a concept that has historically sparked tensions and, all too often, led to catastrophe. Drawing on our local history, and with the conviction that respectful intergenerational, intercultural, and interfaith dialogue can bring even the most painful topics to a dignified close, we demonstrated that differing views need not be divisive. Reconciliation and constructive solutions are possible—and unity can, in fact, emerge from diversity. Just as the motto of the European Union reminds us: In varietate concordia.

Want to learn more about the second edition of Meeting Brno? Have a look at our Annual Report.