Dear members of the Faculty of Fine Arts

we would like to follow up on yesterday's email from the President regarding the war in Ukraine: We too are horrified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its consequences and want to call for help for those affected. Therefore, we would like to give some more concrete advice on this: 

• Basically, we would like to call on everyone to inform us as soon as possible if they hear about or are in contact with endangered artists, scientists, etc. in Ukraine. This also applies to Russian or Belarusian persons who have publicly positioned themselves against the measures of the Russian or Belarusian government and are therefore exposed to repressive measures, imprisonment, etc. Here in particular, the university management has already begun to facilitate assistance measures. Support possibilities for students are also currently being examined.

• Humanitarian aid in general: in Ukraine and at the border crossings there is a particular lack of food/medicines/hygiene articles, especially for children. People are lining up for over 24 hours. There are many collection points in Berlin, we mention here the Pilecki Institute (they have a green corridor at the border). Medicines and canned food are priority right now:

Collection point at the Pilecki Institute
Pariser Platz 4A, 10117 Berlin
https://www.facebook.com/events/693348928501642?ref=newsfeed

See also:

Real ways you can help Ukraine: https://bit.ly/3hrSV9H

@Ukrainehelpberlin: https://linktr.ee/ukrainehelpberlin?fbclid=IwAR2L2kvX-M0qOq9w3HXZs5TLO6-LqaZgjjYfmmCkvm2CpSbw_d5MQ5obmT0

There have been reports under the hashtag #AfricansinUkraine about racist discrimination when refugees leave the country. The associations Asmara's World, TANG e.V. and VMA e.V. have therefore set up a fundraising campaign: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8HEYAJefpX

• Working group / circle around especially those students who have friends or relatives in the war zones. A first date for exchange is offered, please contact: marina[dot]naprushkina[at]googlemail[dot]com

• We would also like to point out this open letter:
https://www.change.org/p/offener-brief-open-letter-cultural-workers-against-ongoing-war-in-ukraine?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_32471605_de-DE%3A0&recruiter=1254715459&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

• In November 2021 - under the impression of the development in Afghanistan, but also of the reprisals against theoreticians, artists and curators in Poland - the faculty council unanimously decided to establish a consecutive visiting professorship for artists and scientists who - worldwide - are exposed to reprisals and political persecution in their countries of origin. To this end, we will seek further discussions with possible partners (such as DAAD, Martin Roth Initiative, etc.).

With thanks in advance for your support

Prof. Dr. Jörg Heiser (Dean)
Prof. Nadira Husain
Prof. Marina Naprushkina