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Federal Commissioner for Cultural and Media Affairs

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Title
Federal Commissioner for Cultural and Media Affairs
Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Angelegenheiten der Kultur und der Medien (BKM)

Description
This agency was established by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder on 27 October 1998. The Federal Commissioner for Cultural and Media Affairs reports directly to the German Chancellor. The agency employs nearly 200 people. Its main role is:

  • The promotion and financing of cultural institutions and projects of national significance.
  • The preservation and protection of cultural heritage, including German culture in eastern Europe (§ 96 Bundesvertriebenengesetz).
  • To continuously improve the general framework for the development of art and culture, media politics, and promotion of the film arts.
  • To foster historical awareness; memorials.
  • The promotion of the arts in Berlin and Bonn.

    Within the agency, the Referat K13 is responsible for the return of cultural property displaced for war-related reasons and/or due to Nazi-persecution. This department published the Guidelines (February 2001) concerning the implementation of the "Joint Declaration by the Federal Government, the Länder (Federal States) and the National Associations of Local Authorities on the tracing and return of Nazi-confiscated art, especially Jewish property" of December 1999 (Handreichung (vom Februar 2001)zur Umsetzung der "Erklärung der Bundesregierung, der Länder und der kommunalen Spitzenverbände zur Auffindung und zur Rückgabe NS-verfolgungsbedingt entzogenen Kulturgutes, insbesondere aus jüdischem Besitz" vom Dezember 1999).

    The Referat K13 can be contacted with questions regarding the Guidelines (2001) as well as with suggestions for additions or corrections. It also acts as a link between different institutions facing similar issues in the restitution process. They and the Coordination Office for Lost Cultural Affairs should also be contacted if, in the course of research, institutions come across cultural property which was brought into Germany from other countries for reasons related to the war and has remained undiscovered until now.

    Contact Information
    The main seat of the agency is Bonn.
    The Office of the Federal Commissioner and a representative agency office are located in Berlin.
    Referat K13 (Return of Cultural Property)
    Bundesallee 216-8
    10719 Berlin
    Tel: +49 (0)1888 6814205 or 4206

    Main address and number:
    Graurheindorfer Str. 198
    53117 Bonn
    Tel: +49 (0)1888 6813837
    Fax: +49 (0)1888 6813821
    Email: <
    Poststelle@bkm.bmi.bund.de>

    Source  
    German Government website
    < http://www.bund.de/ >

    (Handreichung (vom Februar 2001) zur Umsetzung der "Erklärung der Bundesregierung, der Länder und der kommunalen Spitzenverbände zur Auffindung und zur Rückgabe NS-verfolgungsbedingt entzogenen Kulturgutes, insbesondere aus jüdischem Besitz" vom Dezember 1999), p. 6

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