Berliner Lektionen – Berlin Lectures

The Berliner Lektionen are a lecture series sponsored by the Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius ZEIT Foundation and the Berliner Festspiele. The series was inaugurated together with the Bertelsmann media conglomerate in 1987, on the occasion of the celebrations for Berlin’s 750th anniversary. Since then, in more than one hundred Sunday morning talks, prominent figures of our time – philosophers, artists, scientists and politicians – have spoken of their experiences in a changing world. These talks and discussions in the Renaissance Theatre in Berlin are exciting, often brilliant reflections that make this series a true chronicle of political and cultural transformations. They offer an alternative to the bland talk-show mentality of our time, preserving a space for the detailed presentation of visions and ideas, the thoughtful consideration of controversial issues or the review of a life’s work. The Berliner Lektionen have become a forum for public discourse that is now a firmly established part of Berlin’s cultural life.

The Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius ZEIT Foundation supports civic society. As an independent and charitable foundation it aims to promote knowledge, enrich culture and open up opportunities. Its sponsorship activities are concentrated in science and research, art and culture, and education. The flagships of the foundation are the Bucerius Law School and the Bucerius Art Forum, both in Hamburg.