Wolf Biermann: A life between war, dictatorship and literary heritage

Wolf Biermann: A life between war, dictatorship and literary heritage

Wolf Biermann, the 88-year-old songwriter, reflects in a recent interview with the pharmacies Umschau On the formative experiences of his life, which were shaped by war and repressive political regimes. Overall, Biermann has not only experienced the horrors of the Second World War, but also the contradictions of life in the GDR, which for him represents a kind of fate with a variety of emotions and fears.

As a child, he was witness to the devastating bomb attack on Hamburg in July 1943, in which 40,000 people lost their lives. Thanks to his mother, he survived, which saved him in a channel, which shows how defenseless the civilian population was during such conflicts. His father, Dagobert Biermann, was murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz, which illustrates the destructive power of totalitarian regimes.

Biermann's way to the GDR and the following

his path led him to the GDR in 1953, under the influence of his mother, who saw communism as an opportunity. But soon the passionate and rebellious musician was considered a threat from the government. In 1965, Biermann received a ban on appearances and publications in the GDR. A massive surveillance system that followed him with 213 spy, accompanied his life until he was finally established in 1976.

In his interview, Biermann expresses deep beliefs about humans and emphasizes that he believes in his fellow human beings "crazy than belief in God". This is a central aspect of his life experiences, which are characterized by loss and adversity.

The responsibility of the Germans

Another focus in Biermann's conversations is the emotional role of the Germans regarding the air war and the associated guilt. In particular, he refers to the destruction in cities such as Dresden and Hiroshima. He criticizes the idea that many Germans are "blame" because they either actively committed crimes or did nothing to prevent them.

Biermann regrets the destruction of Dresden, but argues that the bombing update would have been better used against gas chambers and transport routes for death trains. This bitter reflection underlines the complexity of moral questions that must also be treated in the present.

his approach to addressing big horrors is also reflected in the literature. Biermann emphasizes that even large writers can write about terrible things without being directly affected. He quotes Hegel and talks about the need for emotional enthusiasm for writing. People with difficult circumstances are often more human than those who consider themselves "the right side".

Wolf Biermann remains a formative voice in German culture and a reminder that also appeals to relevant topics today. The full interview can be read in the current issue of Pharmacies Umschau