Reframing the Narrative: AfD on the 8th of May - Remembering but Not Celebrating
"AFD proposes that May 8th, formerly recognized as a day of victory over Nazism, should no longer be observed as a holiday" - "AfD proposes scraping May 8 as a national holiday"
In the eyes of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the 8th of May shouldn't be seen as a day for celebration. Saxony's AfD party leader, Jörg Urban, made this stance clear in Dresden, pointing out that the 8th of May marked unconditional surrender. With 7.5 million people falling into Allied captivity, 3 million of whom were forced to labor, and a third of those dying, Urban emphasizes the grim reality of the day. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of women were victims of rape.
Urban: Breaking the War Cycle
Different federal states celebrate the 8th of May, notably including Saxony, while Berlin legally observes it as a holiday. Despite this, Urban advocates for the recognition of all victims. He emphasizes that "Never again war!" should be the lesson we learn from the brutal Second World War.
The 8th of May 1945 signified liberation for countless Germans who endured the horrors of National Socialism. This includes anti-regime opponents, political prisoners, and freed concentration camp inmates. The Hitler regime, responsible for countless deaths, was indisputably cruel and inhumane.
According to Urban, it is essential to remember the complex narrative behind the 8th of May. More so, we must mourn all victims without exceptions. In his opinion, it was on the 9th of November 1989 that Germany experienced its true liberation.
The AfD's Stand: Honoring All Victims of War
Remembering all the suffering endured by 12-14 million Germans due to flight and expulsion is crucial, according to Urban.
With the AfD being classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, concerns about the party's approach to social matters, including commemoration of historical events, have arisen. Despite this classification, the party maintains that proposals for making May 8 a national holiday don't do justice to the complex history surrounding the date.
Clearly, the AfD advocates for a nuanced approach to the commemoration of the 8th of May, with a focus on remembering all victims instead of celebrating the day. This stance appears to reflect a broader commitment to ensure a balanced perspective on historical events within Germany.
- Jörg Urban, the leader of Saxony's AfD party, underscores the necessity of recognizing all Victims on the 8th of May, highlighting the complex narrative behind the day.
- Urban advocates for a reframing of the 8th of May as a day not for celebration but for remembrance, emphasizing the grim reality of unconditional surrender.
- The AfD party leader believes that the lesson to learn from the brutal Second World War is "Never again war!", and that all victims, regardless of their circumstances, should be mourned.
- Despite being labeled a right-wing extremist organization, the AfD's stance on the commemoration of the 8th of May suggests a commitment to a balanced perspective on historical events in Germany, focusing on remembrance instead of celebration.
