Embrace Unity Rather Than Retaliation - Söder Celebrates Sudeten Germans
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Restorative Approach Over Retaliation - Söder Pays Tribute to Sudeten Germans - Foster forgiveness over retaliation - Söder acknowledges the Sudeten German community
On Sunday, the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft honored Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) with the European Karl Prize. The recipient took center stage in Regensburg, thanking the group for their unwavering support. According to Bernd Posselt, speaker of the Sudeten Germans, the politician has stood as one of their staunchest allies.
Söder praised the group, stating, "The Sudeten Germans are fellow countrymen, and that entails a special responsibility." Especially touching for him was the spirit displayed by the expelled Sudeten Germans, who "did not seek revenge, but reconciliation and bridge-building." Indeed, such a peaceful approach is rare in world history.
The award ceremony was held at the main rally of the 75th Sudeten German Day. This annual, three-day event takes place around Pentecost. This year's theme: "Learn from war and expulsion. Champion peace and unity." Strengthening ties between Germany and the Czech Republic is a key priority for the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft.
Reflecting on the expulsion's hardships, Söder emphasized, "A life packed into a suitcase." Despite initial struggles upon arrival in Germany, the Free State acknowledged "the life's work of an entire generation that came with nothing and has provided so much for our country."
Mere democracy, mutual understanding, and European unity were discussed, while highlighting similarities between the two nations, such as their shared love for hearty cuisine. The Czech Republic, according to Söder, does not "practice full vegan cuisine."
Seeking to further solidify friendships between the countries, Söder stressed the significance of preserving cultural identity and language, along with improving the train connection to Prague. In his opinion, Germany's current state of poorly developed train infrastructure is "embarrassing."
Laudator Posselt lauded Söder's decades-long commitment to fostering unity among peoples and advocating for a just global order in Central Europe. He called upon all to combat the growing tide of nationalism and self-centeredness in Europe.
With the Karl Prize, the Landsmannschaft recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of peace and unity in Europe. Previous recipients include former President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker (2024), and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (2022).
The Sudeten Germans were relocated from Czechoslovakia after World War II, finding a new home, primarily in Bavaria, where they became known as the fourth pillar of the state alongside the Old Bavarians, the Franconians, and the Swabians.
Concurrently, over 3,000 Transylvanian Saxons gathered in Dinkelsbühl for the traditional Pentecostal gathering. Social Minister Ulrike Scharf (CSU) emphasized the value of democracy, dialogue, and a united Europe. The Transylvanian Saxons have served as a model of interethnic understanding and bridge builders to Romania.
Transylvania, now part of Romania, is home to only around 20,000 ethnic Germans. Many members of this ethnic group have since migrated to Germany and other countries.
Sudeten German Day
- Markus Söder
- Peace
- CSU
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Reconciliation
- Regensburg
- Bernd Posselt
- Bavaria
- Cooperation
- Sunday
- Pentecost
- Europe
Historical Foundations
Historically, the expulsion of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia after World War II, called the "transfer," was based on collective punishment and resentment following Nazi occupation and atrocities. The expulsion resulted in profound emotional and social consequences, leaving a lasting legacy of trauma and mistrust for generations to come.
Reconciliation Initiatives
Reconciliation between Germany and the Czech Republic has developed over many years, marked by key milestones:
- Tensions and Cold War Era: Post-war relations were fraught with bitterness and silence. The Cold War further complicated matters, with both countries on opposing sides of the Iron Curtain.
- Ostpolitik's Influence: In the 1970s, Chancellor Willy Brandt's German Ostpolitik sought to normalize relations with Eastern Bloc countries. The spirit of reconciliation arising from this movement later impacted German-Czech relations.
- Post-1989 Era: The fall of communism in 1989 offered new opportunities for dialogue. Leaders from both nations addressed historical grievances and fostered educational and cultural exchanges.
- Reconciliation Pilgrimage: Regular Reconciliation Pilgrimages from Pohořelice to Brno trace the route of the 1945 expulsions. This annual event symbolizes mutual engagement in confronting shared history.
- Cultural and Educational Projects: Filmmaker Oliver Hirschbiegel's upcoming film Gerta Schnirch examines the emotional toll of the expulsions. Such projects challenge notions of collective guilt and allow new generations to face the past openly.
Current Situation
- Political Interactions: The leaders of both countries emphasize the importance of reconciliation. In recent years, German and Czech officials have attended each other's commemorations.
- Civil Engagement: Grassroots movements, pilgrimages, and cultural initiatives facilitate people-to-people connections, helping dispel historical stereotypes.
- Ongoing Sensitivity: Despite significant progress, the trauma and sensitivities rooted in the expulsion remain, particularly among older generations and regions affected directly. However, younger generations see reconciliation as a vital stepping stone forward rather than just a historical duty.
- The ceremony for the European Karl Prize, awarded to Markus Söder (CSU), focused on the importance of policy-and-legislation, as Söder emphasized the need for stronger ties between Germany and the Czech Republic, including improved train connections and preserving cultural identity and language, which are crucial aspects of the policy-and-legislation sphere.
- In their speeches during the annual Sudeten German Day and the traditional Pentecostal gathering in Dinkelsbühl, politicians such as Markus Söder and Ulrike Scharf (CSU) discussed general news topics like the significance of democracy, dialogue, and a united Europe, showcasing the intersection of politics and day-to-day events in shaping community policy.
