Nachhall 8. Mai
Installation
Rudolph-Jungck Park, Berlin
- 2025
On the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, Dora Busch and I invite you to reflect on the significance and implications of this day through the installation Nachhall 8. Mai (Reverberation 8th May). In the shade of sun sails at Rudolph-Jungck Park, with archival photography from Lichtenberg in May 1945, listen to the voices of people in Lichtenberg today speaking about the different connections they draw from 8th May. Hear the parallels between today and 1945, especially regarding current geo-political events and domestic politics in Germany. Listen to personal connections to this date and insights into the lives of people still affected by it.
Think with us: What does 8th May mean to me?
By interweaving current perspectives on conflict, liberation, occupation, and political extremism with those from within the archive of Museum Lichtenberg, this installation and accompanying printed booklet create a contemporary document on the end of the Second World War by shedding light on its resonance eighty years on. In the booklet, interviews with historical witnesses, as well as photographs, provided vivid impressions of the last days of the war. Many texts end with ‘never again’, a hope being questioned today from many directions.
Indeed, the rise of far-right and fascist ideologies in Germany, and across Europe and America, today run counter to expectations eighty years ago that the capitulation of Germany would bring an end to Nazism. On the contrary, the existence of Neo-Nazi political groups and the increasing popularisation of nationalist symbols and fascist views in Germany at present demonstrate the opposite; democracy and peace in Europe are as fragile now as they were in the last century.
Despite such parallels, drawing any definitive conclusions as to the reverberations of the 8th May 1945 is a significant challenge. We invite you to draw your own.
Program:
11.00 - Opening of the installation
12.30 - Arrival of the bike tour
12.45 - Q&A with the curators
16.00 - Closing of the installation
Press Release
Installation:
- Materials: Canvas Sun Sails, Loudspeakers, Blankets, Booklets
- Dimensions (HxWxD): N/A