ARTMUC Supports our effort to STOP FGM: Art for a good Cause

 Our participation in ARTMUC, held in Munich from May 1 to 4, 2025, proved to be a vibrant platform for contemporary art and a valuable space for dialogue and social engagement.  

A key connection between Past President Renate Wernery and Raiko Schwalbe, the organizer of ARTMUC—established earlier in Dubai—turned out to be highly fruitful. Leveraging ARTMUC to raise awareness about female genital mutilation (FGM) and fundraise for the cause proved to be an impactful and strategic decision. Thanks to Raiko’s generous support, our club maintained a strong and visible presence at the ARTMUC exhibition halls. Our FGM awareness initiative broadened the fair's reach, transforming it into a platform for humanitarian advocacy as well as artistic expression. 

A silent auction allowed us to successfully merge creativity with purpose. Seventy donated artworks from a diverse group of artists, combined with our SI exhibition stand, video, and information materials, attracted significant interest from attendees. Renate, Ester, and Sonja from Soroptimist Dubai were present throughout the entire event, supported by Beryl and several members from the SI Clubs Munich. 

Together, we ensured our stand was continuously staffed, engaging visitors and informing them about the urgent need to end FGM. Few visitors left without having learned something vital about our cause. Over the course of the four-day exhibition, more than 18,000 visitors passed through the halls. 

Distinguished guests who visited our stand included SI Germany President Manuela Nitsche, Connie Gehrken from Club Witten, and representatives from the Munich PresseClub.

Most notably, we raised an impressive €23,000 in support of Nala e.V., a Munich-based organization dedicated to fighting FGM and raising public awareness. This outstanding achievement highlights the power of collaboration—between Soroptimist International, partner organizations, and the public—when united by a shared commitment to human rights. It stands as a testament not only to the generosity of the art community but also to the profound potential of art as a catalyst for social change.

Since its founding in 2014, ARTMUC has supported social projects with every edition. In 2025, it  committed to the international project "Stop Female Genital Mutilation" to raise awareness of this urgent social issue. In cooperation with the Soroptimist-Club Dubai, artworks will be made available for a silent auction. The proceeds will go directly to a relief project.

The silent auction will take place during all four days of the ARTMUC. Visitors will have the opportunity to place bids on the exhibited artworks and actively contribute to the project’s support. With this initiative, ARTMUC once again proves that art can not only inspire but also drive social change.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a form of violence against women and a violation of their human rights. Every 11 seconds, a girl is intentionally injured in her genital area —worldwide! The most common justification is tradition: circumcision symbolizes adherence to the customs and values of the family or tribe and is seen as a prerequisite for social acceptance as a woman.