Foreword by the Rector

In November 2023, the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) published a recommendation on the cultural dimension of universities that emphasizes the importance of art and culture for life on campus – a dialog between academia and the arts that has been promoted at the University of Münster for many years. The articles in this issue of the UniKunstKultur magazine illustrate this cultural dimension of our university. Here, culture surfaces as a space for encounters, for example through concert tours and international artistic collaborations. Especially the willingness to change perspectives and to question traditions are essential prerequisites for a fruitful exchange. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that such spaces for encounters must be actively created and defended. This requires more than just the commitment of creative artists. The audience is also an active part of cultural life – as evidenced through its curiosity and applause. In this spirit, I invite you to get active and to enjoy the cultural dimensions of this summer.

Prof. Dr. Johannes Wessels
Rector of the Universität of Münster