History

Culture Academy is a non-profit, scientifically oriented non-governmental organisation (e. V.) focused on researching, organising and delivering cultural, sporting and interdisciplinary educational activities. It is based in Halle (Saale).

It is an independent provider of child and youth welfare services. As an educational organisation with an »education and movement« profile, it addresses children, young people and adults across social backgrounds through a holistic, humanistic approach to education. It develops open standards for educational work and critically questions established patterns of imparting knowledge. Following ethnologist Christian Köhler-Warmbrunn’s research approach, it understands cultural and physical practices such as martial arts & combat sports (MACS) as a medium for cultivating the Humboldtian ideal of education and enlightenment.

Educational Approach

The educational work focuses on playful encounters as equals, ethically responsible personal development and humanistic, democratic self-assertion. Since the association’s foundation in 2005, its participatory educational approach has been inspired by the »Roda da Capoeira«, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2014. Culture Academy understands martial arts & combat sports (MACS) as a playful dialogue without words, unfolding within a shared space as cultural self-expression.

History

The association was founded on 13.05.2005 as Árvore da Vida e. V. (Portuguese for »Tree of Life«) and later renamed Capoeira Halle e. V. Initially, its work focused exclusively on capoeira and other practices of Brazil’s Cultura Negra.

Through funded project work, the focus shifted towards cultural education, drawing on the many connections in capoeira between physical and artistic expression, music and media work.

Taking over other providers in 2019, together with the research influences of association chair Christian Köhler-Warmbrunn, led to the development of an integrated teaching concept combining cultural education, functional fitness, mixed martial arts and capoeira.

Following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the association gradually expanded and consolidated its work around implementing this concept. Since the end of 2020, Culture Academy has had a permanent base in central Halle (Saale) and has been connected with civil society through alliances for education.

At the time of its twentieth anniversary, 22 volunteers were actively involved in the organisation.

This article is a copy of the publication on Vereinswiki.