Protests against free trade agreement
In front of the Electoral Palace in Mainz, the DOV (German Orchestra Association) warned of the potential dangers of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) with an artistic performance and a resolution.
Singers intoned the TTIP-critical text "We are not a commodity" to the melody of Schiller's Ode to Joy from Beethoven's 9th Symphony. They called on politicians to "take the serious concerns of the cultural sector seriously" in the negotiations on the various agreements, writes the German Orchestra Association (DOV).
So far, as the DOV quotes its managing director Gerald Mertens, it is not known which regulations will specifically affect the cultural sector. No constructive and critical debate can take place on the basis of completely unclear facts.
Musicians from all professional concert and opera orchestras, radio ensembles and freelance musicians gathered for the event. It was the prelude to the DOV Delegates' Assembly, which runs until Thursday.
