Bill Clinton in support of Amerika Haus

Former US-president Bill Clinton has written a letter of support for Munich's Amerika Haus, which is planned to close in 2013. In October 2002, Clinton spoke to a full auditorium at the Amerikahaus and has recently written to emphasize the importance of inter-cultural communication in today's very global world. In the letter, Clinton writes that "cultural and educational institutions like the Amerika Haus are vital to building the partnerships and communications we'll need to address our most pressing international issues".

In August the Bavarian cabinet announced the planned closure of the Amerika Haus, which was founded after the Second World War, specifically to improve connections between Germany and the US. The German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) is set to move in. In the months since the announcement, there have been widespread protests to save the historical building, which has led to a rethink of the closure of the institute at Karolinenplatz.

Munich's Amerika Haus is renowned for its enthusiastic promotion of inter-cultural discussion and hosts regular talks with authors, professors and politicians. The institute's programme covers theatre events (Macbeth is currently showing), exhibitions and readings, as well as workshops and the occasional party. Currently exhibiting the photographs of New-Yorker Vivian Maier, the institute has worked to educate about American culture in Munich. Besides this, the institute holds regular information evenings for German students who wish to study in the US.

For more information on the Amerika Haus and the planned closure, please visit the Facebook page, which can be found here.