Federal Cross of Merit for Gisela Burkamp

Germany’s President has awarded art critic Gisela Burkamp with the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

She was honored for her unsalaried position as curator of the art society in Oerlinghausen (district of Lippe, North Rhine-Westphalia). Gisela Burkamp has overseen the institute for 25 years as its artistic director. The District Administrator of Lippe, Heuwinkel, presented the AICA member with the award on 22 June in Detmold. Since 1979, Burkamp has organized more than 150 exhibitions in the former synagogue in Oerlinghausen. Part of her concept is presenting Jewish traditions and history. A main focus of her exhibition work is formed by her interest in the subject of the persecution of Jewish fellow-citizens during the Nazi dictatorship in Germany.

Gisela Burkamp is one of the founders of the Copernicus Circle which, since 1982, has been committed to the social support and the residence of Polish students, scientists and artists in Germany. Together with her husband, she has curated numerous exhibitions by Polish artists in Germany and abroad. In 1998, the Burkamps were awarded the Polish Cavalier's Cross, Order of Polonia Restituta, in acknowledgement of their contributions to the strengthening of the German-Polish cultural exchange.

Cologne, June 2004                             

WALTER VITT

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