8 May: A Call to Defend Values - Remembering the End of World War II in Europe
Current Houses of Worship Stress the Obligation Towards Present and Future Ages - Churches call upon present and future believers to uphold their commitment and duty
In a nod to 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe, Fehrs and Bätzing paint the day as a "celebration of liberation and the dawn of a new, more hopeful era - an era of reconciliation, peace, European unity, and transatlantic friendship." However, the observance of this day also demands accountability for the future. "We have a keen awareness of the factors that allowed for the horrors and degradation of civilization," they explain, "including the lack of courageous defenders of democracy who were prepared to confront the challenges of the time head-on." Emphatically, they declare, "This time, we stand firm to defend our values! We will not tolerate any attempts to resurrect oppressive spirits or acts of hostility to humanity: Not now, never again!"
On this day, commemorations will take place across Western Europe, including a memorial event by the German Bundestag, where Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will offer remarks.
In light of the anniversary, Verena Bentele, the president of the social association VdK, encourages, "Remembering the victims of the war and the Nazi dictatorship compels us to stay alert against any sort of discrimination, segregation, or devaluation of individuals." In a similar vein, Bernd Fabritius, the president of the Federation of Expellees (BdV), notes, "The 8th of May 1945 was a day of liberation from National Socialism, but liberation was not found by all." Close to 15 million Germans were displaced or violently removed from their ancestral homeland. Thus, remembrance extends to the "memorial for the casualties of displacement, expulsion, and communist repression."
Topics:
- Democracy
- Germany
- Kirsten Fehrs
- Georg Bätzing
- Europe
- Day of Liberation
- EKD
- German Bishops' Conference
- Future
- Anniversary
Insights:
- End of Totalitarian Rule: The surrender marked the end of totalitarian rule under the Nazi regime and the start of a democratic post-war era in Germany.
- Rebuilding and Reeducation: Following World War II, there were extensive efforts to rebuild and reeducate the German population, emphasizing the importance of democratic values and the rule of law.
- Commemoration and Reflection: May 8 is a day of remembrance that emphasizes the value of peace, unity, and learning from the horrors of war.
- Responsibility of Current and Future Generations: Commemorating the end of World War II in Europe serves as a reminder to current and future generations of their responsibility to maintain peace, preserve democracy, and uphold human rights.
- Historical Awareness: It's crucial to promote historical understanding to ensure that the lessons of World War II continue to be relevant and meaningful for future generations.
Historical Significance of May 8, 1945
- Kirsten Fehrs and Georg Baetzing, in their commentary, emphasize the importance of upholding employment policies that foster democracy, peace, and transatlantic friendship, as a tall task lies ahead for current and future generations.
- In line with the anniversary, President Verena Bentele of VdK stresses the necessity of employing policies that combat discrimination, segregation, and devaluation of individuals, as a means of continuing the fight against the evils of the past.
- The Federation of Expellees (BdV), led by Bernd Fabritius, calls for an employment policy that recognizes and commemorates the casualties of displacement, expulsion, and communist repression, reminding us that liberation was not achieved by all.
- As political leaders prepare for commemorations across Western Europe, they are urged to implement employment policies that reflect the values observed on the Day of Liberation: peace, unity, and a commitment to never again allow the horrors of World War II to recur.
