Historic Moment: Berlin Honors 80 Years Since the End of World War II
Commemorating the Conclusion of War: Berlin Honors the Closing Chapter of World War II - Berlin residents honor the close of conflict's conclusion
Get ready for a week of reflection as Berlin embarks on a series of commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over 100 events are lined up, featuring exhibitions, dialogues, wreath-laying ceremonies, tours, and concerts.
The celebrations commence bright and early on May 2nd at 10:00 AM with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, led by current Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU), at the Schulenburgring in Tempelhof. The site holds historical significance as it was here on this day in 1945 that Wehrmacht General Helmuth Weidling surrendered Berlin to the Red Army. A plaque now memorializes the event, with former Mayor Michael Müller (SPD) also participating in the observance.
At 11:00 AM, an open-air exhibition titled "Finally Peace?!" will be unveiled at the Brandenburg Gate. Later in the evening, at 8:00 PM, the oratorio "Liberation," composed by Marc Sinan for this occasion, will have its world premiere at the Academy of Arts with European artists.
The German Wehrmacht's surrender in 1945 signified the conclusion of World War II in Europe. Representatives of the Wehrmacht signed a capitulation document in the presence of the triumphant powers (USA, UK, France, and the Soviet Union) at the building currently housing the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum.
No foreign guests invited
Given the political landscape, commemorating the end of the war is a sensitive issue. The Berlin Senate has opted not to invite any foreign dignitaries, including those from Russia, Ukraine, or other successor states of the Soviet Union, to the official state commemorations. The Red Army, consisting of soldiers from various ethnic groups and all the then-existing Soviet republics, liberated Berlin from Nazism.
Discussion on Russian participation in remembrances
Germany has grappled with the question of whether to allow Russian representatives at commemorative events. Although not welcome officially, Russian Ambassador Sergei Nechaev has attended several events in the past, such as those on the Seelow Heights and Torgau in Saxony. The Federal Foreign Office had previously urged federal states, municipalities, and federal memorial sites not to permit official Russian representatives, fearing they might misuse these events in connection with Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.
Joint commemoration with Brandenburg
As part of Berlin's thematic week "80 Years of War's End," there will be a joint commemoration with Brandenburg. On May 4th, at the memorial site of the former Sachsenhausen concentration camp, Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner and Brandenburg's Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) will greet Holocaust survivors.
On May 5th, Wegner will engage with young participants of a workshop at the Landesarchiv to discuss the Second World War and its lessons. On May 7th, Margot Friedländer, a 103-year-old Holocaust survivor, is slated to read at a memorial ceremony in the Red City Hall, organized by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Public holiday and illuminated Brandenburg Gate
The actual day of liberation from National Socialism on May 8th will be celebrated as a public holiday in Berlin for the first time. Representatives of the Senate will lay a wreath at the Soviet memorial in the Schönholzer Heide district of Pankow, though the commemoration will remain private. In recognition of the anniversary, the Brandenburg Gate will be illuminated. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will deliver a speech at a memorial event organized by the federal government in the Bundestag.
No event by the state at the Treptower memorial
The state of Berlin has no plans for official memorial events at the two other Soviet memorials in Treptower Park and Tiergarten. However, various initiatives aim to remember the end of the war in Treptower Park, with Russia’s ambassador, Sergei Netchaev, expected to lay wreaths there, as he has done in previous years - on May 9th, the day Russia celebrates its victory over Nazi Germany.
Potential appearance of "Night Wolves"
Russian bikers from the notorious nationalist motorcycle club "Night Wolves" have announced a journey towards Berlin from Moscow over the weekend. However, their entry into the EU remains uncertain, and restrictions for gatherings at the memorials, possibly including a ban on Russian flags and symbols, may be imposed, as was the case last year.
- Berlin
- World War II
- Kai Wegner
- Victory in Europe Day
- Russia
- Brandenburg
- Brandenburg Gate
- Soviet Union
- Ukraine
- Social Democratic Party (SPD)
- National Socialism
- Sergei Netchaev
- Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
- Tempelhof
- Michael Müller
- Europe
- United States
- Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) will lead the solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Schulenburgring in Tempelhof, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical substances, amid concerns surrounding the potential impact of Victory in Europe Day commemorations.
- As part of the joint commemoration with Brandenburg, Holocaust survivors and political figures such as Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner and Brandenburg's Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) are expected to participate in various events.
- The Berlin Senate, in light of sensitive politics surrounding the end of World War II, has decided not to invite any foreign dignitaries from Russia, Ukraine, or other successor states of the Soviet Union to the official state commemorations.
