Stephan Reitze speech
On the occasion of the Launch of the Villa Magazine "German Villas Issue".
Stephan Reitze Head of Cultural Section at the German Embassy in Tehran.
February 17 th 2022.
Dear Amir-Abbas Aboutalebi, dear guests and colleagues,
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you here today in this Covid-friendly and well-fitting venue. The Ambassador sends his greetings and wishes us a memorable reception.
Thanks to our partner, the Villa Magazine and its extraordinary team, we can celebrate the publishing of the German Villas Edition together. I was personally enthusiastic when I learnt that it would also cover the Bauhaus school of architecture.
When Amir-Abbas approached us for the first time with his idea, we discussed the concept of villas in architecture and the role they play as a pioneer in pushing boundaries of beforehand unthinkable approaches and new ways.
It was therefore crystal-clear for the German Embassy that a special issue on German villas as well as Bauhaus movement and the latter’s impact on Iranian architecture should see the light of day as soon as possible.
Thus, I owe my genuine gratitude to everybody involved who helped realizing this project in these especially health-wise challenging times.
Yet, Covid offers unexpected opportunities: Due to the pandemic, we are able to shed light on 100 years of Bauhaus in 2022, while the actual anniversary took place in 2019.
What remains today of the Bauhaus school which was founded in Weimar 1919?
The ideas and concepts of design and functionality prove to be of persistent vitality, even nowadays. Bauhaus left a legacy for modernism in this world, which overcame geographical boundaries.
Our venue here underlines that finding and Bauhaus’ relevance for architecture, design and culture. It conducted to a larger diversity in architecture, with Bauhaus elements being adapted to specific cultural contexts. I hence highly welcome that the Villa Magazine explores the Bauhaus heritage also in Iran.
While the institution Bauhaus had a rather short lifespan, its impact is in contrast very long-standing. Our gathering today proves that.
Thank you very much, dear Amir-Abbas and dear Villa Magazine team, distinguished guests, I wish all of you a great time discovering this special edition.
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