The ambivalence of religion

Religion is the source of great humanitarian and social potential, yet it can also release destructive forces. In commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the Peace of Augsburg, this project features a discussion on the role of religions. Alessandro Stradella's Baroque oratorio San Giovanni Battista is a fitting "visual aid" with its theme of early Christian fundamentalism and its portrayal of St. John, in particular, seems to have a striking resemblance to Islamic martyrs of today.

Project director: Verena Gräfe
Symposium director: Peter Waldmann, Bernd Oberdorfer
Speakers: Jan Philipp Reemtsma, Mark Juergensmeyer (USA), Fariborz Hamzeh´ee (IR) and others
Participating artists: Thomas Höft, Christoph Hammer, Elisabeth von Magnus (A), Jonny Maldonado (USA) and others

Venue and schedule:
Augsburg 31 Aug. - 4 Sep. 2005