Germany marks 80 years since end of WW2 | DW News

Key Concepts

• Tag der Befreiung (Day of Liberation): Germany's official view of May 8th as liberation from Nazi tyranny.
• Kultur der Erinnerung (Culture of Remembrance): The importance of remembering and learning from Germany's Nazi past.
• Vergangenheitsbewältigung: The process of coming to terms with the past.
• Antisemitismus (Antisemitism): Prejudice against or hatred of Jews.
• Sexualisierte Gewalt (Sexualized Violence): The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly against women.
• Rechtsextremismus (Right-Wing Extremism): Political ideologies and movements characterized by extreme nationalism, xenophobia, and authoritarianism.
• Populismus (Populism): A political approach that seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
• Völkerrecht (International Law): A body of rules and principles that governs the relationships between states and other international actors.

Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII in Germany

Public Perspectives and Political Context

• The video begins by noting that May 8th is a holiday in Berlin, commemorating the capitulation to Allied forces and Germany's liberation from Nazi rule.
• Vox pops reveal diverse opinions: some feel no personal guilt, viewing the war as a historical fact, while others express concern about the rise of the right-wing AfD party and the potential for history to repeat itself.
• The AfD, classified as extremist, has gained significant electoral support (around 20% in the last federal election) and questions the prominence of Nazi-era remembrance.
• The "culture of remembrance" is deemed crucial and must be constantly updated and considered.

Memorial Ceremony at the German Bundestag

• The ceremony takes place at the Reichstag building, a symbol of the end of WWII and Nazi terror.
• The speaker emphasizes the brutality of the war, particularly the German occupiers' war crimes in Eastern Europe, including the war of annihilation and the murder of Polish intellectuals and civilians in Belarus.
• The speaker highlights the siege of Leningrad, where over a million people died due to starvation and fighting.
• The speaker stresses that commemorating the Holocaust alone is insufficient to prevent new forms of antisemitism, which are already present in society.
• The speaker acknowledges the suffering of German civilians, especially women and girls who were victims of sexual violence during and after the war.
• The speaker reads a letter from an 82-year-old woman whose mother was raped during the expulsion from the Czech Republic, prompting an official commemoration of women who suffered sexualized violence in war.
• The speaker notes that post-war Germany largely ignored the suffering of women, and it is time to acknowledge their pain and strength.
• The speaker mentions that in East Germany, May 8th was celebrated as a day of liberation but was used to justify new forms of oppression.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering the end of the war and the reorientation towards democracy.
• The speaker notes the irony of the Reichstag, once a site of war, now housing a freely elected parliament.
• The speaker points out that Red Army soldiers came from various republics of the Soviet Union, including Ukraine.
• The speaker condemns the abuse of history by Russia, which uses victory parades to justify the war against Ukraine, where sexualized violence is again used as a weapon of war.
• The speaker acknowledges the fear that war could return to Germany and emphasizes the need to defend peace and liberty militarily.

Readings from Contemporary Writers

• Excerpts from writings by Walter Kempowski, Ruth Klüger, and Thomas Mann provide personal perspectives on the end of the war.
• Kempowski describes the atmosphere of surrender and uncertainty in Germany.
• Klüger recounts her experience as a concentration camp survivor and the mixed reactions of American soldiers.
• Mann, in 1945, speaks of Germany's surrender and the need for a new beginning, emphasizing justice and humanity.
• Young people involved in war graves commission share their reflections on the importance of remembrance and reconciliation.
• Tanksuka emphasizes the responsibility of the current generation despite not bearing guilt for the war.
• Sophia Veer highlights the importance of identity and dignity in the face of persecution.
• Carl Vite reflects on the impact of the war on his family and the need to learn from the past to ensure peace in the future.

Dmitri Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8

• The fifth movement of Dmitri Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8, dedicated to the victims of fascism and war, is played.

Address by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

• Steinmeier acknowledges the difficulty of bearing defeat, referencing a letter from Helga Fellony on May 8, 1945.
• He describes the devastation of Germany and the suffering of its people, as well as the crimes committed by Germans during the war, including the Holocaust.
• He emphasizes gratitude to the Allied soldiers and resistance movements who liberated Germany, particularly the sacrifices of the Red Army.
• He condemns the Kremlin's lies about history and Putin's war against Ukraine, stating that it has nothing in common with the fight against Nazi tyranny.
• He expresses gratitude for the reconciliation and trust extended to Germany after the war, particularly by Poland, France, Jewish communities, and Israel.
• He warns against antisemitism and the need to ensure Jewish people feel safe in Germany.
• He acknowledges that liberation came from outside Germany and that many Germans did not initially feel grateful.
• He describes the long journey towards freedom and democracy in both West and East Germany, noting the initial reluctance to confront the past.
• He highlights Richard von Weizsäcker's historic speech on May 8, 1985, as a turning point in dealing with the past.
• He emphasizes that freedom is not guaranteed and that the lessons of the 20th century are fading.
• He warns against the rise of authoritarianism and populism, as well as doubts about democracy.
• He expresses concern about extremist forces in Germany that mock democratic institutions and revive old evil spirits.
• He calls on all Democrats to protect coexistence, cohesion, and peaceful balance of interests.
• He argues that remembrance is not a cult of guilt but a way to learn from the past and prevent future disasters.
• He emphasizes the power of shared memory and the importance of passing on the experiences of dictatorship, war, reconstruction, and reconciliation.
• He asserts that Germany is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the present due to its history and experiences.
• He calls for trust in Germany's values and determination to stand up for them in the face of nationalism and brute force.
• He emphasizes the need for Germany to work for peace and get involved where peace has been lost.
• He concludes by stating that Germany is a different country than it was 80 years ago, blessed with peaceful revolution and reunification, and that it can be trusted to protect freedom and democracy.
• He quotes Jürgen Habermas, "We are all children of the 8th of May," as a statement of hope.

Analysis by DW's Political Correspondent Simon Young

• Simon Young describes the ceremony as solemn and dignified, praising President Steinmeier's address for telling the complex story of German history.
• He highlights Steinmeier's emphasis on reconciliation, the building of the European Union, and the international world order.
• He notes Steinmeier's warning about threats to the legacy of May 8th, including Putin's war against Ukraine and attacks on the international order.
• He points out Steinmeier's reference to those who won't learn the lessons of history, particularly those on the political right in Germany.
• He emphasizes Steinmeier's point that Germany is particularly well-equipped to meet these challenges due to its memory culture and understanding of the consequences of deviating from solidarity, peace, and democracy.
• He discusses the political dimension of Steinmeier's speech, particularly his call for Germany to strengthen its defense forces to defend peace.
• He notes the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian ambassadors from the ceremony but acknowledges the sacrifices of Red Army soldiers from various Soviet republics.
• He highlights Steinmeier's warning against extremist forces on the rise, particularly the AfD and their controversial attitude towards the culture of remembrance.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe is commemorated in Germany with a focus on remembrance, reconciliation, and a renewed commitment to defending freedom and democracy. The ceremony and speeches highlight the importance of learning from the past, acknowledging the suffering caused by Germany during the war, and confronting contemporary challenges such as right-wing extremism, Russian aggression, and threats to the international order. The event serves as a reminder of the fragility of peace and the need for constant vigilance in upholding democratic values.