Celebrating 80 Years: A Remembrance of World War II's End in Berlin & Brandenburg
Crowds Commemorating World War II's Conclusion - Throngs remembering the conclusion of the First World War
❛ Remember and reflect, warn against the resurrection of extremism. ❜
In a poignant display of commemoration, thousands gathered in Berlin and Brandenburg to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over forty solemn tributes were held in Berlin alone, as the city paid tribute to those who had suffered under Nazi rule.
Kai Wegner, Berlin's Mayor (CDU), led the ceremony at Neue Wache, joined by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal President, and Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor (CDU). Meanwhile, Dietmar Woidke, Brandenburg's Minister-President (SPD), partook in an event at the Paulikloster, in Brandenburg an der Havel, to honor the millions of lives lost in the devastating conflict and to denounce the spreading right-wing extremism.
World War II, ignited by Hitler's Germany, claimed between 50 to over 60 million lives globally, with most being civilians. The Soviet Union, particularly hard hit, experienced around 27 million casualties. On May 8, 1945, the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht came into effect, marking the end of the Third Reich and the Second World War. The Soviet Red Army played a pivotal role in the victory, becoming the decisive force in capturing Berlin during the spring of 1945.
Memorials in Berlin were adorned with flowers, including wreaths in the colors of Ukraine and large Ukrainian flags, as the city reckoned with the legacy of the war and the ongoing Russian aggression in neighboring Ukraine. A disturbance occurred when a man with a NATO flag attempted to disrupt the peaceful remembrance.
Russian Ambassador Sergei Netchaev laid a wreath at the Soviet memorial in Schönholzer Heide, accompanied by the so-called St. George's ribbon. Conflicting with a general prohibition by the Berlin police, the police, however, did not intervene due to the diplomat's status as a representative of a victorious power of World War II. Attempts to display pro-Russian banners and a flag at the Brandenburg Gate were met with criminal proceedings for trespassing.
Nazi bikers from the Night Wolves group visited Soviet memorial sites in Schönwalde and Baruth, laying wreaths before heading towards Berlin. Their presence stirred some controversy while police monitored the situation.
The commemoration, as in previous years, was marked by a sensitive undertone due to the Russian war against Ukraine, with both nations being former parts of the Soviet Union. An ecumenical service took place at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, where Bishop Kirsten Fehrs delivered an address emphasizing the need for grieving, while Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, reminded the gathered representatives of their responsibility to foster peace and democracy.
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- World War II
- Police
- Commemoration
- Brandenburg an der Havel
- Soviet Union
- CDU
- SPD
- Ukraine
- Struggle
- Kai Wegner
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier
- Friedrich Merz
- Dietmar Woidke
- Right-wing extremism
- Hitler's Germany
- Death
To learn more, explore this enriching article.
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- Kai Wegner, Dietmar Woidke, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Friedrich Merz, members of the political parties CDU and SPD, participated in commemorative events in Berlin and Brandenburg, respectively, to honor the end of World War II.
- 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, which is a concern that arises from general-news such as the recent memorials in Berlin and Brandenburg.
- While motorcyclists, including members of the Nazi bikers group Night Wolves, visited memorial sites in Brandenburg, their presence stirred controversy and was monitored closely by the police.
- Although the commemoration of World War II in Berlin and Brandenburg focused on remembrance and reflection, the ongoing struggle in Ukraine and the spreading right-wing extremism cast a sensitive undertone over the events.
