“30 Years on” at Deutsches Haus at NYU

Deutsches Haus at NYU, in partnership with us presents a lecture by Marianne Birthler, former Federal Commissioner for the Stasi Archives, on “30 Years on: Achievements and Challenges Since the Peaceful Revolution and the Fall of the Berlin Wall.” The lecture will be followed by a conversation between Marianne Birthler and David Gill, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York.

About the lecture:
Almost all those who are old enough still remember the day when the Berlin Wall fell. The 9th of November 1989 marks a world-renowned date and the event became a symbol, not only for overcoming the German division, but also for bringing about the fall of the Iron Curtain as well as the end of communist rule in middle and Eastern Europe. However, it wasn’t the fall of the Wall that liberated the people. It was rather the people living in the GDR that were able to break the power of the Socialist Unity Party through a peaceful revolution.
Today, Europe, the great hope of the turn of the millennium, is often the subject of anxious analysis and commentary. As in other countries of the world, nationalist tendencies intensify, minorities are ignored, or the free press defamed. Our open societies seem to be on the defensive.

This is also the case in Germany. The AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), which is particularly successful in East Germany, shamelessly exploits people’s concerns in order to gain influence and to win votes. Instead of making constructive suggestions, they operate political business through fear.
The reflection of our history and especially the history of the freedom movements can not only help the 20th century, but can also strengthen future generations by allowing them to see themselves in the traditions of those who were fighting for freedom and democracy.

Location and time:
Deutsches Haus at NYU
42 Washington Mews, New York City
Friday, September 27, 2019, 6:30 pm

For more information and to register visit: Deutsches Haus NYU