Steinmeier warns: Lessons from the Nazi dictatorship more urgent than ever!

Steinmeier warns: Lessons from the Nazi dictatorship more urgent than ever!

Berlin, Deutschland - Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier kept a moving commemoration on May 8, 2025 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the war. In his speech, he asked not only to remember the teachings from World War II and the Nazi dictatorship, but also actively capture. Steinmeier urged the dangers of foreclosure, aggressive nationalism and the contempt for democratic institutions.

The memory of the horrors of the war is important because Germany has already lost democracy and now self -assertion and the occurrence of democratic values ​​are necessary. Steinmeier sees the international order based on international law after the Second World War. In particular, the departure from this order, which can also be felt by the US politics, is perceived as a "shock of new dimensions". This happens against the background of Russia's attack on Ukraine, from which Steinmeier derives a "double break".

commemoration and responsibility

The heads of the constitutional bodies resigned wreaths during the commemoration lesson to remind the victims of war and tyranny. This year, not only by Steinmeier, but throughout Germany, the victims of the Holocaust are commemorated, such as the international commemoration day for the victims on January 27, 2025, which took place at the monument to the murdered Jews in Berlin.

The German culture of remembrance, a topic of pressing relevance, faces challenges, especially at a time in which populious currents and group -related misanthropy increase. Reports show that the memory of the Nazi regime is still a big challenge even after over three decades. Initiatives such as the monument to the Sinti and Roma, which was opened under Nazi ideology, which opened in 2012, are an example of the ongoing struggle for the appropriate commemoration.

memory culture in change

The discussion about the relevance of monuments and memorials is reinforced by current political developments. Many memorial sites, such as the Stasi prison in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen, are places of experience and knowledge that are supposed to encourage the past. According to the bpb , it is important that the culture of remembrance remains not only emotionally, but also rational and fact-based on future generations about the dangers of dictatorship and totaling. To clarify thinking.

Wolfgang Benz, an important historian, also plans to publish new food for thought in the spring of 2025 on the future of the culture of remembrance. This underlines the necessity that Germany will continue to remain the dark chapters of its history in the future and that those who suffered from the National Socialist regime can be given due recognition and memory.

With today's commemoration, Steinmeier has set a strong sign of cohesion and responsibility towards one's own history. The Federal President calls on all citizens to actively work for the values ​​of democracy so that the teachings from past times do not forget.