Der Bauernkrieg 1525

How modern were the insurgents' demands and visions? Thomas Kaufmann and Lyndal Roper in conversation

The historian Lyndal Roper teaches at the University of Oxford in Great Britain, and the German Protestant theologian and church historian Thomas Kaufmann holds the Chair of Church History at the University of Göttingen. They are both Luther biographers and have an excellent knowledge of the history and culture of the Reformation and modern times.

To mark the 500th anniversary of the Peasants' War, both have published new books that deal with this central historical event on the threshold of the modern era, question the relevance of the goals and values formulated at the time and explain how a look at the year 1525 can also open up new perspectives for our present day. In "The Peasants' War. Ein Medienereignis", Thomas Kaufmann analyzes the peasants' uprising as the first media war in history and as always being interpreted ideologically. Through comprehensive source studies, Kaufmann exposes ideological distortions and presents a captivating reinterpretation of this important event.
In "For Freedom. The Peasants' War 1525", Lyndal Roper brings the rebels and their utopia to life. They were not victorious, but their desire for freedom, justice and a good life still drives us today and their view of nature and its resources is closer to us than we think.

Moderator: Prof. Andreas Lindner (University of Erfurt)

A cooperation of the Erfurter Herbstlese e.V., the Evangelische Akademie Thüringen, the Katholisches Forum im Land Thüringen and the Martin Luther Institute of the University of Erfurt

Admission for pupils and students: € 10 in advance and at the Box Office