The European Cultural Forum Mainau e.V. (EKFM) was founded in 1998 on the initiative of Sonja Countess Bernadotte. The founding ceremony was associated with the opening of the exhibition ‘Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, Citizen-Marshal-King’ on 25 October 1998 in the presence of the patrons H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf with H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden and Prof. Dr. Roman Herzog, the then Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany.
In 2018, the EKFM was honoured with the Gottlob Frick Gold Medal. The medal has been awarded annually since 1998 by the Gottlob Frick Society to artists and personalities from the artistic field. It honours services to preserving the memory of great singers and their exemplary singing achievements. In his laudatory speech, the Honorary President of the Gottlob-Frick-Gesellschaft Hans A. Hey particularly recognised the sponsorship of the Anneliese Rothenberger Singing Competition and the promotion of highly talented young singers by the European Cultural Forum Mainau.
The EKFM has two honorary presidents: the founder Sonja Countess Bernadotte and her commendable successor in the presidency, Prof. Dr Roland Doschka. Both were honoured by the European Cultural Foundation pro Europa at Mainau Castle in 2006.
Our goal: to bring people within Europe together on a cultural level
The European Cultural Forum Mainau e.V. sees its task in the promotion of art and culture. The focus is on encounters at a cultural level and the promotion of networks between cultural professionals and those interested in culture. This is achieved by organising cultural events, meetings and symposia, through international exchange, promoting young talent and honouring outstanding artistic achievements in Europe. A special focus is on the international Lake Constance region, Germany and - following the tradition of Mainau - Sweden.
The spectrum ranges from music, film, performing and visual arts, literature to garden culture.
The European Cultural Forum Mainau is under the patronage of the Council of Europe.
