In a world where global connections influence our lives, cultural exchange plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and appreciation among different communities.
For decades, the Goethe Institute in Sri Lanka has embraced this mission by promoting German culture while also encouraging important discussions about shared human experiences throughout history. It’s essential to understand that engaging with a different culture doesn’t mean submitting to it or simply copying it. Instead, cultural exchange helps us to explore our common journey as humans, touching on aspects of culture, economy and politics. This connection opens the space for diverse voices and perspectives, helping individuals learn from one another and overcome historical inequalities.
Stefan Winkler Director, Goethe Institute Sri Lanka
In a recent conversation the Sunday Observer had with Stefan Winkler, the director of the Goethe Institute in Sri Lanka, a complex framework of cultural exchange and support that defines the institute’s mission began to unfold. “As the Goethe Institute develops its programs and partnerships, it encourages Sri Lankans to discover the richness of German culture alongside their own. This collaboration creates connections that highlight the shared experiences and stories of our journey together through time.” At the commencement, Winkler described the transformative role of the Goethe Institute as a cultural centre.
As soon as he started his work at the Institute, he faced the challenges brought on by the pandemic, which made the past few years quite difficult.“When I started here, the pandemic had hit. Everyone was suffering, especially those in the performing arts sector, music, theatre and dance.” With restrictions placed on gatherings, live performances faced unprecedented hurdles. In response, they convened discussions with local partners and artistes to identify ways to offer support.
Tattu Pattu
One standout initiative was Tattu Pattu, launched in 2021 as a digital platform to showcase innovative musicians. “We recorded high-quality audios and videos of musicians and launched a specially designed website titled Tattu Pattu. We started this initiative in 2021 and continued adding new groups until 2023. Currently, we have around ten featured groups. While it may not seem like a lot, we maintain high quality standards for each entry,” he said. Each featured group not only has a commissioned music piece but also includes a text written by a music critic, alongside a playlist and photographs. “This comprehensive approach allows for an in-depth presentation of each group. I’m particularly happy that we insisted on using a local name, which is always challenging due to the existence of two local languages. Tattu Pattu has now become a household name; anyone searching for it online can easily find the website.” he said.
Critical Zones
Another notable project was the Critical Zones exhibition held at the JDA Perera Gallery in 2022, which addressed pressing global issues of sustainability and the environment.
Winkler explained the process the Goethe Institute follows when considering new exhibitions. “When we receive offers for exhibitions, it’s my responsibility to decide whether to accept them,” he said. He acknowledged that these projects often entail significant costs, such as transportation and equipment rental. “My first question is always about the relevance of the exhibition’s theme to the Sri Lankan audience,” he said. “This decision isn’t made in isolation; I engage in discussions with our partners and colleagues here to evaluate these offers. Also I don’t want it to be just a foreign showcase with no connection to the local context. I always aim to combine it with local art and artistes,” Winkler said.
He highlighted the success of the Critical Zones exhibition as they organised an activation program that featured an interesting Sri Lankan perspective alongside numerous engaging activities, such as talks, film screenings and guided walks. “We connected with environmental groups focused on coral reef protection and designed activities for school children, adults, and students. I believe this approach is the best way to work in this format,” he said.
Winkler also spoke of a more recent exhibition titled ‘Techno-worlds’, which showcased similar principles. “We offered workshops for local musicians, hosted concerts, and held film screenings, concluding with a commissioned electronic live track for the silent movie Berlin: Symphony of a Great City from 1927.” He expressed his commitment to ensuring that exhibitions at the Goethe Institute resonate with both local and international audiences, reflecting a meaningful cultural exchange.
“It’s crucial that the themes we present are relevant to the Sri Lankan audience. We collaborate closely with local artistes to create an engaging program that resonates with the community.” he added.
Language centre
Goethe Institute’s role as a language centre is to provide quality German language education. “We offer the only internationally recognised examinations for German language proficiency and everyone can sit for them regardless of whether they have attended courses at the Goethe Institute or not,” Winkler said. He said that while they recommend their courses to better prepare students for the examination, success requires mastering more than just grammar. He elaborated on the importance of a well-rounded approach to language learning, saying, “In language teaching, we focus on four key skills: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. All of these capabilities must be trained together to succeed.” He pointed out that most students come to the Goethe Institute with clear plans: “More than 90 percent of our learners aim to go to Germany, primarily for higher education, family reunification, or skilled migration, a new pathway that has opened up in recent years.”
With the rise in demand, Winkler acknowledged the challenges they face. “This year, we expect to conduct around 5,000 examinations, which is a significant challenge for us due to our current shortage of qualified teachers. We want to ensure that everyone learning German has access to the best language teaching programs.” he said.
Goethe Institute initiated to establish standards for German language teaching beyond the standards already existing at the Goethe Institute. “We work closely with universities, particularly the University of Kelaniya and the University of Sabaragamuwa, to support language instruction. A fantastic collaboration with the Ministry of Education has enabled us to establish German language in over 100 schools across Sri Lanka.”
He described their comprehensive training programs for teachers, many of whom are already English teachers familiar with language instruction. “We provide them with language training and German teaching methods. It’s been an excellent cooperation, and we have been commissioned by the ministry to write textbooks for the German language curriculum”, he added.
Recently, they launched an A-level textbook in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. “We are grateful for this cooperation and for the opportunity to support the ministry in developing language courses and training programs for teachers. Our partnership has also secured funding from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the past four years, which further enhances our initiatives to bring German language education to Sri Lanka.”
Through these efforts, Winkler and the Goethe Institute are not just teaching a language; they are fostering connections and building a foundation for a deeper understanding of German culture and its relevance in the global context.
‘Feminisms’
As they look towards future cultural programs, Winkler is particularly excited about an upcoming exhibition titled Empowerment Art and ‘Feminisms,’ presenting a multifaceted exploration of feminist discourse across cultures. “This exhibition allows us to facilitate discussions through a range of activities, symposiums, workshops, film screenings, aimed at examining differing perspectives on feminism,” he conveyed, underscoring the potential for collaboration among artistes from various backgrounds.
Addressing the commodification of culture, Winkler remarked on the impact of the Goethe Institute’s initiatives within the local landscape. “We seek to collaborate with innovative, independent groups and avoid merely presenting entertainment. Culture, in my view, should tackle pressing societal issues organically,” he asserted, emphasising the importance of giving artistes the freedom to explore significant themes without prescriptive directions.
“Working with young, well-informed generations of artists who express their voices in culture is an invaluable asset,” he added.
Looking ahead, Winkler remains optimistic about the potential for cultural exchange to foster understanding and collaboration within Sri Lanka and beyond. The Goethe Institute continues to serve as a nurturing ground for the Arts, bridging gaps between cultures and supporting Sri Lankan artists in their endeavours. As Winkler aptly put it concluding the conversation, “Culture is powerful and can change attitudes and ideas, but only if we allow artistes the freedom to express themselves authentically.”
Agenda 14
