Call for ceasefire in Gaza

The escalation of violence leading to an appalling loss of lives, displacement of communities and widespread destruction, severely disrupting the lives of the Palestinian people, moves students and staff at KASK & Conservatorium.

KASK & Conservatorium joins the global call for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of all victims suffering the violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.

As an institution for higher arts education, KASK & Conservatorium pledges to defend human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. It demands this principle equally from any institution with whom it upholds direct collaboration agreements. Therefore no involvement whatsoever in the violation of human rights is and will be accepted from any of the current or future contracting parties. KASK & Conservatorium correspondingly advocates a similar approach within the formal networks in which it participates.

As artists and designers, we believe that authentic ‘beauty’ emerges from the way we incessantly redefine ourselves, thus moulding our society and environment. This search cannot be isolated from the many contradictions, conflicts and injustices that permeate our present day and historical reality. This conflictual quest cries for unrelenting vigilance. It demands well informed and critical awareness, willingness to respectfully debate, radiating societal creativity and hopeful determination.

“Beauty. It is the pillow, or the pincushion, of our species, which has never been able to desist from hating in the name of love, lying in the name of truth, exploiting in the name of solicitude, killing in the name of life, […]” (Helmut Lachenmann — 21 May 1980)

Filip Rathé,
Dean KASK & Conservatorium