Reflexe & Reflexionen

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Reflexes & Reflections 2026

The Great Disorder

Ever since Donald Trump’s reelection, if not before, one thing has become clear: a violent multipolar world order is emerging. Autocratic tendencies, even in formerly liberal democracies, are intertwined with the resurgence of imperialist fantasies of great-power dominance. At the same time, the East-West and North-South axes are becoming increasingly irrelevant for understanding geopolitical relations in a radically changing world.

At stake is the legacy of liberal institutions and international cooperation. Even a postcolonial perspective, which draws on critiques of Western politics, is insufficient for describing current geopolitical conflicts. At the same time, the world’s major lines of conflict are shaping Germany’s post-migrant society and threatening social peace.

The third edition of the “Reflexe & Reflexionen” theme days, once again curated by political scientistSaba-Nur Cheemaand historianMeron Mendel, also marks the 75th anniversary of the Berliner Festspiele. As a cultural institution deeply rooted in Berlin’s eventful history, the Berliner Festspiele is examining, in its anniversary year, the impact of current geopolitical upheavals on open societies.

Where should social and cultural actors and institutions turn today? What new points of reference offer guidance? In discussing these issues, alongside prominent speakers from politics, academia, and culture, Berlin high school students will also have their say for the first time.