Lecture series "35 Years of German Unity" with Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk

Why is liberal democracy being called into question in East Germany in particular, where the first successful revolution on German soil took place? East Germany is currently the subject of intense debate, and Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk is one of the most prominent voices in this debate. The fight for freedom is his life's work. Having grown up under the SED dictatorship himself, he has published standard works on the history of the GDR and communism, but also on the revolution of 1989 and the consequences of the "takeover" of the GDR by the Federal Republic.

Kowalczuk wants to shake up the East Germans: to take more active personal responsibility, to turn away from their own role as victims and to take a look at history in which the GDR does not become more beautiful the longer ago it was. The dictatorship remains a dictatorship and unification a success story of freedom. The fact is: In the GDR, the West was a place of longing for many. But the SED's anti-Western propaganda also had deep roots. They were reinforced by the frustrations of the reunification process. And they now prevent many East Germans from embracing the liberal democracy of the Federal Republic.

The event begins at 6.15 pm, admission is from 6 pm. All interested parties are cordially invited. Admission is free, but registration is requested at www.thueringer-allgemeine.de/ringvorlesung is requested.