Living memories: Berlin honors the End of Conflict, Pledges to Uphold Democracy
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Commemorating the End of the War: Rallying to Uphold Democracy in Berlin - Memorializing war's conclusion - "Upholding democracy"
In the heart of Europe, Berlin recently marked an historical milestone - the 80th anniversary of the close of the great war. The city's mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), called for lessons to be drawn from the darkness of the Nazi epoch and a united stand for democracy. The 8th of May, 1945, symbolized liberation, as described by then Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker in his stirring address to the Bundestag in 1985. But it was also a day of caution, as Wegner declared at a memorial service in the Red City Hall, hosted by Berlin's government.
History must never fade from our memory, and the stories of atrocities and the Holocaust must be preserved. "It is our responsibility to never forget. It is our responsibility to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself," Wegner emphasized. "It is our responsibility to stand up for democracy and defend it against threats from within and without."
Victory in May 1945
In 1945, the German military surrender put an end to World War II in Europe. Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel signed the necessary documents in the early hours of May 9, 1945, in the building now housing the Berlin-Karlshorst Museum, in the presence of representatives from the victorious nations: USA, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union.
Wegner recalled that the Soviet Red Army, the first of the Allies to reach Berlin, was responsible for liberating the city from the suffocating yoke of Nazism. "But we don't forget that Putin and the Russian army have invaded Ukraine, creating war in Europe once more." Berlin remains steadfast in standing with its sister city Kyiv and all Ukrainians, Wegner reiterated.
"An unavoidable total defeat"
"The atrocities and the unimaginable human suffering inflicted by the Nazi regime are as undeniable as Germany's responsibility for the outbreak of the Second World War," stressed Cornelia Seibeld, president of the Berlin House of Representatives. "Germany's total defeat was inevitable due to the invasions of its neighbors and the German crimes. Only with the liberation of Europe from German dominance could also liberate the Germans."
Emotional moments with Holocaust survivor
The Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer made a heart-wrenching appearance at the memorial service. At 103 years old, this honorary citizen of Berlin read sections from her book "Try to Make Your Life." With a gentle voice, she ensnared her listeners with graphic accounts of her personal experiences during her liberation in 1945, from the Nazi-controlled ghetto of Theresienstadt.
"The gate is open, for the first time it is open. There is no guard anymore, no one can stop me from leaving. Nevertheless, I just stand there. Am I dreaming? Can it be true that I have survived? Cautiously, I take a few steps, out onto the street. I don't want to go. I just want to see if it's true that I can leave without being shot." Friedländer recounted sharing in the liberation with her eventual husband Adolf. "A moment we'll always remember."
"Be humane"
At the close of her reading, Friedländer shared a word of warning. "Be human!" The audience, numbering approximately 180 guests, rose to honor her request, applauding for two and a half minutes. Wegner then presented Friedländer with a bouquet of blossoms, knelt next to the woman in her wheelchair, and spoke briefly with her. "I'm proud that you're our honorary citizen," he said, speaking into the microphone at the lectern.
- Holocaust Survivor
- Europe
- Democracy
- Germany
- Berlin
- Atrocities
- World War II
- May 9, 1945
- Bundestag
- Kai Wegner
- Ukraine
- Russia
In the Footsteps of Heroes
- While specific details on the memorial events in Berlin might not be readily available from search results, it's clear from our study of past commemorations that such events often reflect a collective effort to remember the past, to engage a sense of solidarity with victims, and to strengthen our commitment to democracy. Here's a glimpse into the potential themes that could be emphasized:
Reflections on Valor and Sacrifice
- Recognition of the courage and determination of those who fought against the Nazi regime, both on the battlefield and within the ranks of resistance movements
Emphasis on Education and Awareness
- Open discussions about the lessons we can learn from history, about the need to teach future generations the value of democracy and the importance of remembering the horrors of war
Reviving Humanity and Compassion
- Highlighting the power of human connection and empathy as a force for victory over the darkness of totalitarianism, using stories and testimonials from survivors to bring history to life
Calls for Global Unity and Cooperation
- Emphasizing the need for international collaboration to ensure peace and stability in Europe, to stand together against the resurgence of hate and intolerance, and to work towards a future where history never repeats itself.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly in light of the anniversaries that recall the atrocities of World War II and the Holocaust.
- Though the political landscape has shifted from the general-news of that time, the lessons drawn from the liberation of Berlin in May 1945, such as the importance of democracy and standing up against threats, remain relevant in contemporary crime-and-justice and political discussions.
- In addressing the risks of ionizing radiation, we can learn from the historical example of how the people of Europe came together to liberate themselves from the suffocating yoke of Nazism, just as we should come together today to protect workers from the risks related to their exposure.
- As we remember the heroic efforts of those who protected Europe from German dominance in World War II, let us also recall the early warning of a directive on the protection of workers from ionizing radiation, and work together to ensure that such risks are minimized in our modern, democratic societies.
