Memory day in Fulda: Democracy needs us all - for peace and freedom!

Memory day in Fulda: Democracy needs us all - for peace and freedom!

On May 8, 2025, an important event will be held in Fulda to commemorate the end of the Second World War 80 years ago. The day of action at the Uniplatz is under the motto "Democracy needs us all!" And is organized by a broad alliance that includes over 15 organizations, including AWO, BDKJ, DGB and grandmas. The event aims to reflect on the teachings from the past and to raise awareness of the importance of democracy. According to Fuldaer Zeitung , the event is led by moderator Gunter Geiger, which is emphasized by the core message "The dignity of man is untouchable"

A highlight of the morning will be the panel discussion "Youth in conversation about peace in Europe". They, including Philip Schinkel from the Association of German Catholic Youth, Marvin Kruczek as district school spokesman and Alicia Ecker as city school spokeswoman, discuss the role of Europe for the youth, the dangers of disinformation and concern about a possible new war in Europe. The Mayor of Fulda, Dr. Heiko Wingenfeld underlines the importance of May 8 as a commemoration day for war and tyranny and warns of the weakness of democracy, as was observed in 1933.

diverse events

In the afternoon there is another panel round entitled "Peace - Hope - Responsibility". Bishop Dr. Michael Gerber and other prominent people. The afternoon event is moderated by Werner Schlierike from Hessischer Rundfunk. The day of action ends at 6 p.m. with a peace service in the Fulda Cathedral, followed by an open-air concert at 7.30 p.m. with the artist Judy Bailey on the Uniplatz.

While the local memorial events take place in Fulda, a commemoration of the liberation is held in Berlin. In the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, an ecumenical service is celebrated, followed by a wreath laying on the new guard. May 8th will be celebrated in Berlin as a unique legal holiday in Berlin. Federal President Steinmeier is invited in the Bundestag to give a speech in which he addresses history manipulation by the Russian President Putin in the context of the Ukraine War. The increasing pressure on the international legal system as well as the increase in right extremism and nationalism in western democracies are also discussed. Representatives of Russia and Belarus are excluded from the commemoration due to the Ukraine War.

look at the story

May 8, 1945 marked the end of the Second World War in Europe with the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht. Around 50 to 60 million people lost their lives worldwide, the majority of them. Among the victims were around 27 million people from the Soviet Union and 6.3 million from Germany. The historical event is organized in many cities in Europe, such as in Moscow and London, as well as in Paris memories and commemorative celebrations that reflect on the different perspectives on the victory over National Socialist Germany.

like Deutschlandfunk reported, these celebrations took place in different cities. In Warsaw, for example, the end of the war was celebrated on May 9, 1945 with crowds that swung transparent and wore flags. The first post -war exhibitions also addressed the destruction of the Polish cultural assets by the Germans. Despite the destruction, the population returned, but the challenges of the new political system were considerable.

The teachings from the time of National Socialism are still very relevance today, since current developments such as the increase in national currents and the war in Ukraine integrate into social discourse. So May 8th remains a day of thinking and the reminder for future generations.