Democracy at stake

The art project “Wertekampf: Demokratie auf dem Spiel” is more than just a card game - it is an interactive exploration of the fundamental values of our society. As part of the exhibition, it allows visitors to playfully familiarize themselves with democratic principles, question their meaning and actively practice defending them. Based on the Manifesto for a Sustainable Democracy, the game provides a framework for developing and sharpening arguments for essential values and testing them against populist or manipulative counter-narratives. It is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about practical exercises in political discourse:
- How do we argue convincingly for respect, tolerance or transparency?
- How do we recognize attacks on democratic values in political and social debate?
- How do we react to attempts to sow uncertainty through division and manipulation?
The game is training for us as a civil society: it encourages us to actively engage with the challenges facing democracy today. It helps to develop steadfastness in discussions, to react calmly and thoughtfully to destructive rhetoric and to use well-founded arguments to make the other person think.


Wertekampf: Demokratie auf dem Spiel” not only initiates a discussion, but also a reflection on how democratic values prove themselves in everyday life. The art project encourages people to think about language, argumentation and the power of narratives. It shows that democracy cannot be taken for granted - but that it must be actively lived, defended and justified again and again.
By inviting visitors to participate, the exhibition makes it possible to experience democracy not as an abstract ideal, but as a living practice.