Wie weiter?
Gegenwart Erinnern
24 February, 7 October & 9 June

The aim of the “Coalition for Pluralistic Public Discourse (CPPD)” network is to develop artistic, civic and educational concepts for pluralistic social remembrance. The closing event of the festival series “Memory Matters” aims to further reinforce the importance of cultures of remembrance in public discourse, academia and the arts in Europe.

Remembrance culture in Germany and Europe is at a turning point: the events of 24 February 2022, 7 October 2023, and 9 June 2024 have revealed grave conflicts within remembrance policy discourse. While demands for a pluralisation of cultures of remembrance and the joint efforts to achieve it have been decisively strengthened, not least due to the efforts of the CPPD network, remembrance policy discourses are currently marked above all by uncertainty, pressure to take a position, fear, struggles about definitions, a loss of solidarity, and polarisation.

At the heart of the work of the CPPD is the conviction that those who wish to create more pluralist present and future societies must also re-tell the story of the past because this desire also creates an opportunity for our plural democracy. Being able to participate in shaping remembrance and seeing oneself reflected in cultures of remembrance strengthens participation as a principle of our shared democratic way of life in Germany and Europe. Remembrance policy work thus contributes to a new, plural societal cohesion.

Following 6 ports-of-call for the CPPD “Memory Matters” Festival in Germany and across Europe, we will take stock of our results thus far on this evening. Using the example of three central contemporary moments of remembrance, we will come together with experts from the CPPD network to review concrete remembrance policy strategies for our European society. In doing so, we will gain insights into the working results of the CPPD network and its members.