The ´cultural programme` isn´t only a sideshow of the hard sports competition which is necessary, it isn´t an isolated block alongside the main business, but it is supposed to be an integral element that stands in the centre of the ethical ambition of the Games.The basic idea is that all cultures of the world should get the opportunity to present themselves with artistic contributions.But what do we mean when speaking of "culture"? There´s no hierarchy of cultures. This understanding is irrational and leads finally into a moral disaster. A well known extreme example are the Berlin Games of 1936.The term of culture is therefore closely connected with equality. "Culture" shouldn´t be a melting pot where cultural identities are lost; it can be compared with a salad bowl in which the single ingredients keep their "identities" in an interesting mixing-up.There´s the problem that the so-called "developing countries" that are not (yet) on the level of international sport need support so that they can presenttheir significant cultural heritage in an appropiate way.This has been the idea of the organisers of the Munich Games in 1972 and therefore they gained much sympathy. Taking part in the "cultural" Olympiad isn´t the only right of rich countries!So the often over-used term of "solidarity" alongside the other Olympic values gets a new vivid profile!