Ukraine im Blick – Der Freiheitskampf der Ukraine und deutsche Befindlichkeiten

On 7. November 2024, author Marko Martin incurred the displeasure of his host, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as a keynote speaker. Martin pointed out to Steinmeier that German politicians had ignored the Ukrainian fight for freedom against Russia's aggression for far too long in favor of short-sighted interests, such as cheap energy supplies.

And he states that this attitude is not an isolated case. In his new book "Freiheitsaufgaben", Martin shows how deeply rooted the tendency is to trivialize freedom movements or present them as a threat to political stability - an attitude that is still having an effect even 35 years after the peaceful revolution in the GDR.

In his lecture, Martin explores the question: Why are we alienated from the value of freedom? He combines domestic debates on democracy and authoritarianism with historical experiences and global perspectives. In the discussion, we will then address the central challenges of our time:

• What about the courage to embrace freedom in a world characterized by uncertainty?
• Why are struggles for freedom often only recognized as such in retrospect?
• And what lessons can be learned from German history for the present?

An uncomfortable but necessary evening about Germany's inner conflict between moral demands and realpolitik compromises - and about how we can actively defend freedom in a world threatened by authoritarianism, also in view of the situation in Ukraine.

Moderator: Peter Schyga (former advisor to Netzwerk Erinnerung + Zukunft)
Guest: Marko Martin (writer and journalist)

Please register at: info@slu-boell.de

In cooperation with ZeitZentrum Zivilcourage, The URKAINE Network and Netzwerk Erinnerung + Zukunft in der Region Hannover e. V.