Today, 78 years ago, the Second World War in Europe ended with the liberation from National Socialism. For many countries in Europe, this meant the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new hope for peace and freedom. However, even as we remember the liberating events of today, the liberation from National Socialism did not mean the end of totalitarian rule for many Eastern European nations. Instead, they were subjected to further decades of foreign domination and oppression in the Soviet Union or the Eastern Bloc.

For several years now, the regime in Russia has been attempting to reinterpret the Day of Liberation in an aggressive manner. Both domestically and at numerous events abroad, the significant contributions of other nationalities beyond the Russian, who fought both within the Soviet army and in the international anti-Hitler coalition, are scarcely mentioned or acknowledged. It is increasingly rare to mention that the Nazi crimes also affected numerous republics and territories that are now independent, sovereign countries in Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine and Belarus. At the same time, Russia is using the Day of Liberation from National Socialism to justify its aggression against Ukraine. However, contrary to Russian state propaganda claims, Ukraine is by no means fascist, but a country striving for a future in freedom and democracy.

We should therefore also honor today those who fought against oppression in the Soviet Union or in the Eastern Bloc. We should remember that defending freedom and democracy is an ongoing task that concerns us all. We must advocate for a just society and against any form of oppression. The ongoing fight of Ukraine against the tyranny of Russia deserves our full support!

The heroic deeds of all those who fought against National Socialism and oppression oblige us today to fight for a better future and to strive for a world where peace, freedom, and justice are realized for all people.

Event Notice:

Today, May 8th, and tomorrow, May 9th, we, as a coalition of various citizen initiatives, will set up a small campsite with exhibition materials, a performance area, and various interactive programs for two full days at the ‘Motherland’ sculpture in Treptower Park, Berlin.

Our goals for this event are:

• to reflect on the historical significance of this date and location in the context of current events;
• to inform visitors to the monument about the crimes of the Soviet and Russian regimes and their connection to the current war in Ukraine;
• to call on the Federal Government to recognize Germany’s historical responsibility towards Ukraine and to support it even more comprehensively in its struggle for liberation against Russian aggression;

Our action is part of a joint project of citizens’ initiatives that joined forces in spring 2022: https://www.gedenken-gegen-krieg.de