Commemorating the end of World War II: “This May 8th is a day of war”

Status: 05/08/2022 4:26 p.m

The nationwide commemoration of the end of the Second World War has been overshadowed by the war in Ukraine. Federal President Steinmeier spoke of a “nightmare” that turned a “day of hope” into a “day of war”.

The nationwide commemoration events marking the end of the Second World War 77 years ago have been dominated by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. With regard to the war, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke of an “epoch break”. May 8 was not only a day of remembrance and admonition, but also a “day of hope” for “a long time,” said Steinmeier at the federal congress of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Berlin. “But today, on May 8th, the dream of a common European house has failed; a nightmare has taken its place,” said Steinmeier. “This May 8th is a day of war.”

Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) stressed that Germany was “aware of the great importance of a united Europe in peace and democracy”. She explained that it depressed her “that less than a two-hour flight from Berlin, a war in Europe is once again bringing terrible suffering to people.” At the same time, she hopes that “despite the situation in Ukraine, an appropriate and dignified commemoration of Germany’s liberation from National Socialism will be possible in Berlin.”

Criticism of conditions for memorial sites in Berlin

Numerous commemorative events, wreath layings and demonstrations took place in Berlin and many other German cities to commemorate the end of the Second World War 77 years ago. Pro-Russian events were also announced. After severe criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk, the Senate on Saturday defended the conditions for a total of 15 memorial sites in the capital where no flags and military symbols are allowed, including a number of Soviet memorials and the German-Russian Museum. These rules should enable a “dignified, peaceful commemoration”. Everywhere else flags are allowed in public.

The Berlin police tweeted that the main priority was to prevent the war from being “instrumentalized”. She referred again to the rules – but there are exceptions for war veterans and ambassadors and delegations. Melnyk himself visited the Soviet War Memorial in the Tiergarten district, and Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) also attended the commemoration. There, the police rolled up a huge Ukraine flag that activists had brought with them.

“Never forget the value of peace”

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) laid a wreath at the memorial near the state capital of Schwerin. “The liberation of Germany was a prerequisite for peace in Europe and for us finding our way back to Europe – right up to German unity,” explained Schwesig. Unfortunately, today there is war again. Germany stands “on the side of those who were attacked and persecuted”.

The FDP parliamentary group warned of the duty to “carry on the memory of the terrible crimes and millions of fates for generations, in order never to forget the value of peace”. Also because of their own history, the Germans must “do everything we can to stop this terrible war in the heart of Europe and to consistently support the Ukrainians”.

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