Düsseldorf and Cologne Galleries Condemn AfD Event Citing Joseph Beuys
More than fifty galleries located in Düsseldorf and Cologne have united in signing a letter that criticizes the Düsseldorf chapter of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This condemnation arises from the AfD's use of postwar artist Joseph Beuys and poet Heinrich Heine in promoting their "Cultural Policy From the Right" event scheduled for Monday, October 26. The event features a walking tour and a lecture by Matthias Helferich, an AfD Bundestag member elected in 2021. Helferich faced a temporary expulsion from the AfD's North Rhine-Westphalia branch in 2025 due to controversial statements but was reinstated in June 2026. The letter highlights Düsseldorf's commitment to cultural openness and dialogue among various perspectives, irrespective of origin, religion, skin color, gender, or political views.
Key facts
- More than 50 galleries in Düsseldorf and Cologne signed a letter condemning the AfD's Düsseldorf faction
- The letter alleges the party referenced Joseph Beuys and Heinrich Heine in promoting a cultural policy event
- The AfD event "Cultural Policy From the Right" is scheduled for Monday, October 26, in Düsseldorf
- The event includes a walking tour of arts and cultural venues and a lecture by Bundestag member Matthias Helferich
- Hyperallergic could not independently confirm any mention of Beuys on AfD or AfD Düsseldorf websites
- Helferich was elected to the Bundestag in 2021 and was temporarily expelled from the AfD's North Rhine-Westphalia branch in 2025
- Leaked chats showed Helferich describing himself as "the friendly face of the Nazis" and wanting to play "democratic Freisler"
- Helferich's expulsion was ultimately overturned in June 2026
Entities
Artists
- Joseph Beuys
- Heinrich Heine
- Matthias Helferich
- Roland Freisler
- Daniela Horn
Institutions
- Alternative for Germany (AfD)
- AfD Düsseldorf
- Bundestag
- AfD North Rhine-Westphalia
- Hyperallergic
- Die Zeit
- Welt
- WDR
- Van Horn
- Heinrich Heine Institute
- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
- Galerie Konrad Fischer
- Ruttkowski;68
- Sies + Höke
- Galerie Gisela Capitain
- Drei
- Galerie Nagel Draxler
- Dasartes
Locations
- Düsseldorf
- Germany
- Cologne
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Rhineland