Discharge according to racist incident: Kassel's cultural director goes!

Discharge according to racist incident: Kassel's cultural director goes!

On February 15, 2025, there was an explosive development in the cultural scene of Kassel: Martin Eberle, the director of Hesse Kassel Heritage, was released with immediate effect. The Hessian Minister of Science and Research, Art and Culture, Timon Gremmels, traveled to Kassel for this message from Wiesbaden and informed about the background of the decision as part of a press conference. Eberle had already been informed about his release the evening before.

The event for this drastic measure was a racist insult that Eberle expressed on October 8, 2024 during a public event opposite David Zabel, the chairman of the City of Kassel's cultural advisory board. This serious provocation only became public on February 6, 2025, when Eberle granted the insult in the course of a research by the F.A.Z. . The incident not only triggered a wave of outrage in Kassel, but also far beyond.

The reactions to the discharge

The reaction to the dismissal of Eberles was different. While some considered the step as necessary to set a clear sign against racism, there were also voices that looked critically in the way of implementation. Eberle tries to use the incidents and the associated discussions to point out general problems in German cultural policy.

In this context, Aladin el-Mafaalani, sociologist and expert in racism and social inequality, comments on the challenges with which cultural institutions are confronted. He warns of the assumption that certain institutions are freed from structural racism. Dealing with such allegations should not lead to hectic reactions, but should be regarded as a learning opportunity. He mentions the Dortmund Schauspielhaus, where a "racism clause" was included in contracts that addressed various forms of discrimination. This measure could serve as a model for other institutions.

structural problems in the cultural area

el-mafaalani also calls for preventive measures and clear regulations to effectively counter racism. He sees a structural problem that is deeply anchored in culture and demands a relaxed approach to both those affected and supposed perpetrators to better understand the problem. "Racism is like asbestos," he explains, "it is important to actively search for it and to consider him constant challenges".

The dismissal of Martin Eberle could be a wake -up call for cultural institutions in this context, to become aware of their responsibility and to find sustainable solutions. The discourse on racism in culture remains up to date and shows that dealing with discrimination must go beyond individual cases. It is a social task that affects both actors and institutions equally.