Together with the German Historical Institute in Warsaw and the Foundation for Polish-German Reconciliation, the EVZ Foundation is organizing a panel discussion with Polish and German experts from academia and civil society. The focus lies on the debate about the German-Polish cultures of remembrance.
What is the current state of the process of German-Polish reconciliation? What has changed in recent years, with fewer and fewer contemporary witnesses, but in a politically charged discourse? What challenges does historical-political education currently face? Is there a common understanding of the National Socialist past and the current situation in Europe (keyword: Ukraine war) in the present? What role does the topic of passing on intergenerational traumas and family narratives play in the understanding of recent Polish-German history? Is there a drifting apart or a fragmentation of memory? And what effect does social media have on this?
When? April 24, 2025, 6 p.m. (admission from 5:30 p.m.)
Where? Teatr Studio, Scena Malarnia (plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa, Poland)
Registration via form is required for participation. The event will be recorded and published on the EVZ Foundation's YouTube channel approximately two weeks later.
Important accessibility information: The event room is located on the 5th floor and is not accessible without barriers. (Please note that the elevator only goes up to the 3rd floor. From there a staircase leads to the hall. Please let us know if you need assistance because you have limited mobility)
The event will begin with a welcome address by Jakob Meyer (Member of the Board, Foundation EVZ), Prof. Dr. Magdalena Saryusz-Wolska (Director, German Historical Institute Warsaw) and Jakub Deka (Chairman of the Board, Foundation for Polish-German Reconciliation). A keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Klaus Bachmann, professor of Social Sciences at the SWPS University of Warsaw, will then introduce the discussion.
The panelists are:
- Dr. Agnieszka Łada-Konefał, political scientist, Germany researcher, deputy director of the German Poland Institute Darmstadt. Author of numerous publications on European politics and German-Polish relations
- Alicja Klich-Rączka, Specialist in geriatrics, Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University, long-time head of an outpatient clinic for former concentration camp prisoners
- Dr. Andreas Kahrs, historian & managing director of the NGO whatmatters
- Puneh Abdi, member of the board of democ
Moderation: Dr. Maria Skóra, scientist and publicist
In the end, there will be room for informal exchange during a reception with finger food and drinks.
We look forward to your participation!
The event is organized in cooperation with the German Historical Institute Warsaw and the Foundation for Polish-German Reconciliation.
EVZ Conversations! is a discussion format and an event series organized by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future - digitally and on site. It brings together people from politics, civil society and business, from the EVZ Foundation's networks in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe and Israel - in public discussion events, background and expert talks or in creative and artistic formats.
