Propaganda oder Verständigung?

The immediate post-war years in the French occupation zone are characterized by an extraordinary flourishing of cultural life. A wide range of events was offered to the population, from theater and film performances to concerts and exhibitions. Publishers, adult education centers, documentation centers, and French institutes were established, contributing to both the democratization and re-education of the Germans, while also promoting German-French exchange and the dissemination of French culture. A particularly important aspect of French cultural policy was the enhancement of French prestige. Culture was used both as a propaganda tool and as a means of communication. Against the backdrop of the intentions of French cultural policy, its realization is the focus of this work. Using the city of Freiburg im Breisgau as an example, the study explores the implementation of cultural policy and the response to the diverse cultural activities.