Episodes

  • What Has Happened to the German Culture of Remembrance? PART THREE 1990-2025
    Mar 17 2025

    Show Notes:

    What Happened to German Memory Culture? Part Three: United and Confused (1990-2025)

    Episode Overview:

    This episode explores how German remembrance culture evolved following reunification, examining the challenges and transformations in how Germany processes its past.

    Key Moments:

    Post-Reunification Challenges

    Germany as social and cultural laboratory ● Contrasting memories between East and West Germany ● Rise of neo-Nazi violence and xenophobia in early 1990s

    Key Memorial Developments

    The Neue Wache controversy and its transformation ● Creation of Stolpersteine memorials ● Development of the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin ● Wehrmacht Exhibition & Public Response: Groundbreaking exhibition on Wehrmacht war crimes

    Balkan Wars and German military involvement

    Interpreting "Never Again" in foreign policy ● NATO participation and Kosovo intervention

    Contemporary Challenges

    Integration of immigrant perspectives ● Colonial past recognition ● Debates over Holocaust uniqueness ● Current institutional uncertainties

    Looking Forward:

    The episode concludes by examining recent attempts to reform German remembrance policy and the potential development of a broader European memory culture.Deep dives and references:

    On Beyondberlin.substack.com, you'll find footnotes and a bibliography providing access to the most important literature on German Erinnerungskultur (memory culture) and its debates.

    This podcast is adapted from a three-part series published on beyondberlin.substack.com titled:

    What Has Happened to the German Culture of Remembrance?Curated by: Valentina Giannella

    Music Credits: Intro/Outro Music via Loudly



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    26 mins
  • What Has Happened to the German Culture of Remembrance? PART TWO
    Feb 27 2025
    What Has Happened to the German Culture of Remembrance?A Historical Review: Debates, Discourse, Pivotal MomentsIn this episode: The Roots, 1945–1989In this episode of Beyond Berlin, we explore the History of the Culture of Remembrance in Germany from 1945 to 1989. We begin by examining the controversy surrounding the bombing of Dresden, which was a military target during World War II.We then address the initial silence of the German people after the Holocaust's horrors were revealed, the Allies' efforts to re-educate Germans, and how some German Protestant Churches in 1945 spoke up to acknowledge the atrocities committed by the German government.Next, we discuss how, after Germany's division, the Eastern government blamed the Holocaust on the West—portraying the West as the capitalistic continuation of the fascist regime while positioning the East as an anti-fascist state populated by victims and resistance fighters. Meanwhile, the Western government attempted to make amends with Jewish people worldwide, partly to regain its place on the world stage, though not without resistance from its citizens.We also examine how the GDR conducted high-profile trials to hold the West accountable for employing former Nazi party members in their government.The final section covers both German governments' efforts to educate their citizens and the world about the Holocaust through trials and media. In 1979, the American miniseries "Holocaust" brought the issue to the forefront, sparking a genuine reckoning with the past in Germany and leading to greater introspection and refugee support.Despite this progress, debates persisted in Germany about whether the Holocaust was a unique event in human history and how to reconcile the past with the present. The 1980s laid the foundation for "Erinnerungskultur" (remembrance culture): after 1979, silence gave way to expression through books, family memoirs (spawning a genre of descendants coming to terms with their families' Nazi past), and conferences. Nevertheless, certain debates revealed Germany's struggle to come to terms with its Nazi history, acknowledge the Holocaust as a unique crime, and accept its permanent connection to Germany.Key moments:Today: Dresden: Memory, Hijacked.1945-1949: The Great Silence.Reeducation through the media: memory, imposed.Breaking the Silence: The 1945 "Stuttgart Declaration of Guilt".The Great Reframing in Occupied East Germany.1950–1967: Coming to Terms with the Past or Drawing a Line Under It?West Germany Starts Investigating Nazi Crimes.East Germany Celebrates its Anti-fascist Struggle.East Germany and its Relationship with Jewish Victims.The "Better State" against the "Still-Nazi" West Germany.Germans Facing The Big Trials.1968-1970: We Need to Talk!Looking Eastward: Ostpolitik and Memory-Building.1970-1978: Filming Between Memory and Propaganda.1979: "Holocaust" and a Nation's Catharsis.1980–1989: Foreign Policy Challenges, Social Tensions, and Historical Debates.1980: The United States Holocaust Memorial project.1985: The Limits of Inclusive Memory.May 8, 1985. Federal President Weizsäcker's speech.1986/87 The Historians´ Dispute: “The Past That Will Not Pass”.1987 Topographie des Terrors: The Material Response to the Historians' Debate.1988: Shadows of the East.Audio segments from public speeches:Dr. Navid Kermani - Speech at the ceremony "65 Years of Basic Law" 2014Speech by Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker on May 8, 1985Music credits:Serge Pavkin Music - Keep WalkingSerge Pavkin Music - Time to say GoodbyeFootnotes, bibliography and more on the topic:Beyondberlin.substack.com: Stories —big and small— that start in Berlin and look eastward, where Europe´s heart beats and its future unfolds.Here you will find the original post, the second of a three-part series dedicated to exploring the genesis, struggles, and contradictions that make German Remembrance Culture still unresolved. Get full access to Beyond Berlin at beyondberlin.substack.com/subscribe
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    52 mins
  • "We fight to survive"
    Jan 27 2025
    Show Notes: "We Fight to Survive"Between 1942 and 1944, a group of families from Nazi-occupied western Ukraine hid in the local caves, with some never leaving for almost one year. This is their story.What does it take to survive in the darkest of times? How can humans endure months or even years without sunlight, fresh air, or certainty of survival? From Kyiv’s sewers to the forests of Poland, from the extermination camps of the Holocaust to modern-day hostage situations, the resilience of the human spirit continues to defy comprehension.This episode brings you the extraordinary story of survival by a group of Jewish families who, between 1943 and 1944, hid in the caves of western Ukraine to escape Nazi persecution. These caves, among the largest in the world, became both a sanctuary and a prison as the families navigated their way through unimaginable conditions for nearly a year.We connect this story with Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, exploring how purpose and meaning can become the ultimate tools for survival. This is not just a Jewish story—it’s a European story, a human story.Along the way, we’ll delve into:• The unique geography of western Ukraine’s cave systems.• The heroic efforts of the Stermer family and their fight for survival.• How meaning and community can sustain life in the face of absolute despair.• Modern-day parallels to these harrowing experiences.Key Moments:Introduction – Why survival stories like this still matter today.Discovering the Story – From a Wikipedia footnote to a museum exhibit: how this history came to light.The Caves of Ternopil Region – Exploring the geography, history, and cultural significance of the caves.Life Underground – How the Stermer family and others adapted to life in total darkness.Betrayals and Bravery – The dramatic capture and escape of Esther and her family.The Role of Meaning in Survival – Insights from Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy.Modern Echoes – What this story teaches us about resilience in the face of ongoing conflicts today.--The story was featured in National Geographic Adventure in 2004 and inspired both a young adult book, The Secret of Priest's Grotto (2007), and a 2013 documentary featuring Nicola and four survivors. The movieReleased in 2012, is available on Amazon Prime and on YoutubeSources online* Christos Nicola, Peter Lane Taylor, The Secret of Priest's Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story, 2007* Europe Between East And West, blog: Caving In – Optymistychna: The Ukrainian Underworld, 2021* Відвідай туроператор (Vidvidai Tour Operator): 5 the Most Interesting Caves in Ternopil Region* Smow Journal, Natalia Romik. Hideouts. Architecture of Survival at the Jewish Museum, Frankfurt, 2024 / also in the Frankfurt Jewish Museum website* Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine, Media Portal, 11 min. documentary on the Ozernaya Cave, 2011* National Geographic Magazine, The Darkest Days, July 2004, via WebArchive.org* Haaretz, How Caves That Have Sheltered People for 6,000 Years Saved Jews From the Holocaust, Jul 22, 2023* Mykhailo P. Sokhatskyi’s scientific contributions on Research Gate focused on the prehistoric history of Verteba and Priest´s Grotto* (Video) Hideouts. The Architecture of Survival. - lecture by Natalia Romik at the Art Biennale Budapest, Nov 2024Credits:Research and narration by Valentina Giannella, based on the sources listed above.Music & SFX:Serge Pavkin “Prolonged Rain”A segment featuring Frank Birnbaum singing Avinu MalkeinuSome personal recordingsSound effects by ElevenLabs and PixabaySound Design: Valentina GiannellaDiscover more and subscribe at beyondberlin.substack.com Get full access to Beyond Berlin at beyondberlin.substack.com/subscribe
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    28 mins
  • "I feel at home in the entire world, wherever there are clouds and birds and human tears"
    Jan 15 2025

    Rosa Luxemburg – “I Was, I Am, I Shall Be”: Empathy in the Face of Oppression: Rosa Luxemburg's Universal Appeal, Beyond Politics and Revolution.

    On January 15, 1919, Rosa Luxemburg was murdered in Berlin, marking the tragic end of one of the most extraordinary lives of the 20th century. On the anniversary of her death, we delve into her legacy and ask: why does Rosa Luxemburg, a Marxist theorist and revolutionary from over a century ago, still resonate with us today?

    In this episode:

    The Final Hours of Rosa Luxemburg: A harrowing account of the events leading to her assassination amidst the chaos of the Spartacist uprising in Berlin.

    The Revolution’s Myth: Why her final prophetic words—“I was, I am, I shall be”—endure, not as a call to revolution but as a symbol of her humanity and ideals.

    The Controversies of Memory: How Luxemburg’s legacy has been claimed, reshaped, and contested across ideologies, from East German state propaganda to her erasure in Poland.

    Her Jewish and Polish Identity: Luxemburg’s complex relationship with her Jewish roots and her stance on nationalism, which continues to spark debate.

    The Letters of Rosa Luxemburg: A glimpse into the poetic soul of a revolutionary through her correspondence, revealing her love of nature, humanity, and a universal empathy that transcends time.

    Highlights:

    • Luxemburg’s famous statement on freedom: “Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters.”

    • The rediscovery of her literary genius in her letters, which became cultural touchstones and even social media memes.

    • How Luxemburg’s universal humanism challenges the divisions of our polarised world.Music credits:

    • Sinfonia In D Minor F.65 Adagio - Johann Sebastian Bach

    • Music background Serge Pavkin

    • Soundeffects: Pixabay

    ON Beyondberlin.substack.com

    • Photo highlights of key locations from Luxemburg’s life, including the Landwehr Canal and Zamość, her birthplace.

    • Quotes from Luxemburg’s letters, including her reflections on global suffering and the interconnectedness of all humanity.

    SUBSCRIBE TO BEYONDBERLIN.SUBSTACK.COM to get the next episodes and blog posts into your inbox.

    Beyondberlin.substack.com: Stories —big and small— that start in Berlin and look eastward, where Europe´s heart beats and its future unfolds. By Valentina Giannella, Berlin



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    27 mins
  • A Walk Through Theodor Herzl's Vienna
    Jan 8 2025

    This episode takes you on a historical walking tour of Vienna, tracing the life and legacy of Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism. Despite facing anti-Semitism and opposition from within the Jewish community, Herzl's dream of a Jewish state was born and nurtured in the heart of Vienna.

    We explore the complex relationship Vienna had with Herzl, from his early days as an aspiring playwright to his emergence as a visionary leader. The tour highlights significant locations in his life, including his residences, the places where he worked, and the sites where his memory is – and isn't – honored.

    Key Themes:

    Vienna's Paradox: The city that nurtured Herzl's intellectual and cultural development also harbored deep-seated anti-Semitism, which ultimately fueled his Zionist vision.

    The Power of Vision: Despite facing rejection and ridicule, Herzl's unwavering belief in a Jewish state inspired a global movement and ultimately led to the creation of Israel.

    Memory and Legacy: The episode examines how Vienna grapples with Herzl's legacy, highlighting the often subtle and sometimes controversial ways his memory is preserved in the city.

    The Jewish Question: Herzl's struggle to address the "Jewish Question" in a hostile environment is central to understanding his motivations and the development of Zionism.

    Locations Featured in the Tour:

    Leopoldstadt:

    Praterstrasse 25 (Herzl's childhood home with a small theatre)

    Theodor-Herzl-Hof (social housing complex named after Herzl)

    Inner City:

    Kolingasse 13 (Herzl's student residence)

    Zelinkagasse 11 (another of Herzl's residences)

    Hollandstraße 1 (Herzl's family home)

    Marc-Aurel-Straße 7 (Herzl's apartment after marriage)

    Herzl-Stiege (staircase renamed in Herzl's honor)

    Theodor-Herzl-Platz (small square commemorating Herzl)

    Back from Paris:

    Pelikangasse 16 (where Herzl wrote "Der Judenstaat")

    New Life, New Home:

    Berggasse 6 (Herzl's family home)

    Währinger Strasse 5 (publishing house of "Der Judenstaat")

    Türkenstrasse 9 (office of "Die Welt" newspaper)

    Sigmund Freud Museum (Berggasse 19)

    Palestine and Back:

    Weimarer Strasse 68 (Herzl's residence in Währing)

    Haizingergasse 29 (Herzl's final residence)

    The Final Days:

    Döblinger Cemetery (Herzl's burial place)

    Musikverein Wien (location of Herzl's memorial service and the XI Zionist Congress)

    Notable Figures Mentioned:

    Karl Kraus ● Theodor Herzl ● Empress Sisi ● Gustav Klimt ● Karl Lueger ● Mark Twain ● Sigmund Freud ● Martin Buber ● Kaiser Wilhelm II ● Sultan Abdul Hamid II ● Tsar Nicholas II ● David Lloyd George ● Pope Pius X ● Stefan Zweig ● Franz Kafka

    Quotes:

    "Die Wiener lieben ihre Träume, aber sie fürchten die Visionäre." (The Viennese love their dreams, but they fear the visionaries) - Karl Kraus

    "Ich bin ein Wiener durch und durch" (I am a Viennese through and through) - Theodor Herzl

    "Wer ein Jud ist, das bestimme ich” (Who is a Jew, I decide) - Karl Lueger

    "In Wien habe ich alles gelernt, was mich geprägt hat – auch die Konflikte.” (In Vienna I learned everything that shaped me - including the conflicts.) - Theodor Herzl

    "In Wien bin ich aufgewachsen mit der Ahnung, dass die Judenfrage nicht nur eine soziale, sondern eine nationale Frage ist.” (In Vienna, I grew up with the realization that the Jewish question was not only a social issue but a national one.) - Theodor Herzl

    Music:

    J. Strauss II: Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Op. 325

    Antonín Dvořák, Slavonic Dances, Op.46

    Franz Schubert Serenade No. 7 from Schwanengesang

    Keep Walking, Serge Pavkin

    VISIT & SUBSCRIBE

    On Beyondberlin.substack.com you also find imagery and a google map where all the places mentioned in this episode are pinned.



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    33 mins
  • How do you say "coffee" in Vienna?
    Dec 26 2024

    Show Notes: Viennese Coffee Culture: A Symphony of Dialects and Drinks

    Episode Overview

    If you want to immerse yourself in Viennese culture, the right place isn’t the university—it’s the café. Join me as we explore the soul of Vienna, where dialects mingle, history lingers, and coffee is celebrated in an endless variety of forms. From the Wiener Melange to the legendary Zarenkaffee, this is more than a story about coffee—it’s a tale of cultures colliding and blending in the heart of Europe.

    In This Episode:

    Viennese Dialect and Culture: How the unique cadence of Viennese German reflects the city’s diverse heritage and why dialects, not Hochdeutsch, dominate everyday life.

    The Origins of Viennese Cafés: The fascinating (and somewhat legendary) history that ties these iconic institutions to the Ottoman siege of Vienna.

    A Literary Pilgrimage: Discover the cafés that hosted the likes of Freud, Kafka, and Zweig, and why their spirit still lingers in Vienna’s coffeehouses.

    Your Coffee Cheat Sheet: A delightful guide to navigating Vienna’s coffee menu, featuring everything from the classic Einspänner to the indulgent Kosakenkaffee.

    Highlights:

    Introduction: Why the café is Vienna’s true cultural and linguistic heart.

    The Musicality of Viennese Dialect: A soundscape of the city’s unique linguistic charm.

    History Served Hot: From Ottoman battles to the birth of the Wiener Kaffeehaus.

    Literary Legends: The writers and thinkers who made the coffeehouse their second home.

    Coffee Culture Unveiled: A tour of Vienna’s endless coffee variations—from everyday classics to exotic blends.

    Sweet Endings: The imperial Zarenkaffee and other unforgettable specialties.

    Coffee Highlights from This Episode:

    Wiener Melange – The quintessential Viennese coffee, perfected with milk and foam.

    Einspänner – A coachman’s favorite, topped with whipped cream.

    Kosakenkaffee – Black coffee meets vodka and honey in a bold blend.

    Fiaker – Coffee with rum for a wintery Viennese treat.

    Zarenkaffee – A regal concoction of espresso and sweetened egg yolk.

    Soundtrack of the Episode:

    Immerse yourself in the atmosphere with waltzes, jazzy tunes, and the bustling ambiance of Viennese cafés, including:

    🎵 Classical excerpts by Mozart

    🎵 Good mood Walzer

    🎵 Viennese street sounds

    To know, see and hear more stories: 📖 Beyondberlin.substack.com Stories —big and small— that start in Berlin and look eastward, where Europe´s heart beats and its future unfolds. Text, sound, and photography.



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    11 mins
  • From Vienna to the world: the journey of the 9th Symphony's Ode to Joy.
    Dec 15 2024

    Show Notes: From Vienna to the World: The Journey of the 9th Symphony’s Ode to Joy

    200 years ago, Beethoven composed a timeless anthem connecting people worldwide—from Vienna to Peking, Berlin to Tbilisi—in brotherhood and unity.

    Episode Overview

    Search for classical music online, and you’ll find countless flash mobs performing the iconic Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. This piece has become a universal anthem for unity and democracy, inspiring spontaneous performances and resistance movements around the globe.

    In this episode, we trace its journey:

    Vienna, 1824: The dramatic debut of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, with its groundbreaking choral finale.

    Europe’s Anthem: Why Ode to Joy became the anthem of the European Union.

    Global Resonance: Its role in Tiananmen Square, Berlin, Kyiv, Tbilisi, and even Japanese New Year traditions.

    A Musical Revolution: Exploring Schiller’s Ode to Joy and its Enlightenment ideals, which inspired Beethoven’s masterpiece.

    We also reflect on personal and collective moments shaped by this symphony—from Leonard Bernstein’s Ode to Freedom concert after the fall of the Berlin Wall to the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’s recent reinterpretation.

    Highlights

    • 🎼 Behind the Music: Why Beethoven chose Friedrich Schiller’s Ode to Joy as the centerpiece for his revolutionary symphony.

    • 🌍 A Global Language: The countless ways people have embraced this music to express shared values of peace and freedom.

    • 🎤 Singalongs and Resistance: How Ode to Joy has united voices in public squares and protests, from Europe to Asia.

    • 🎻 Legacy and Adaptations: From Herbert von Karajan’s arrangements to the Ukrainian translation celebrating “Slava” (Glory).

    Dive deeper

    On beyondberlin.substack.com, you will find links to major executons, historical notes and my video recording from Glienicke Bridge in 2019, where we sang Ode to Joy on the 30th anniversary of the Wall’s fall.

    To get the next episodes and text posts in you inbox, subscribe at beyondberlin.substack.com

    🎧 The audio podcasts are also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Music Credits:

    ● Royalty free libraries for ochestral. choir and guitar versiond of Beethoven´s Ninth Symphony, as well as for the Intro/Outro music segments

    ● My own recording of 2019 singalong at the Glienicker Brücke, in Berlin/Postsdam



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    22 mins
  • A love affair beyond time and space: Italy, the ´Sehnsuchtsort´ of the German soul.
    Dec 1 2024
    A love affair beyond time and space: Italy, the ´Sehnsuchtsort´ of the German soul.The German-speaking world's centuries-old fascination with Italy has shaped art, literature, and culture. From Goethe's journey to modern times, Italy remains an eternal source of inspiration.IntroductionOpening Quote: Friedrich Nietzsche: "When I search for another word for music, I can only ever find the word Venice."Soundscape: Gentle water lapping against gondolas, distant calls of gondoliers, and faint Vivaldi music.Theme: Explore the enduring love story between the German-speaking world and Italy, a relationship that has inspired art, literature, and culture for centuries.Key Themes and HighlightsItaly as a Sehnsuchtsort (Place of Longing)Definition: A place of deep yearning and desire, often idealized in the imagination as a destination for happiness, fulfillment, or inspiration.Cultural Significance: Italy became a spiritual sanctuary for German-speaking travelers, offering solace during personal crises and frustrations.Goethe’s Italian JourneyContext: In 1786, Goethe embarked on a transformative journey to Italy, seeking escape from his midlife crisis and professional burnout.Impact: His travels, documented in letters and later published as Italian Journey, became the foundation for the German-speaking world's profound yearning for Italy.Key Moments:Arrival in Rome: "Yes, I have finally arrived in the capital of the world!"Immersion in Italian culture: Learning the language, buying local clothes, and embracing sensory experiences.Legacy: Goethe’s journey redefined Romantic literature, turning Italy into a symbol of life, freedom, beauty, and sensuality.Romanticism and the ArtsLiterature: Poets like Clemens Brentano and Heinrich Heine expressed their longing for Italy through passionate verses.Painting: German Romantic artists, including the Nazarene painters, drew inspiration from Italian landscapes and Renaissance masters like Raphael.Music: Italian landscapes and the musicality of the Italian language influenced composers and poets like Rainer Maria Rilke.20th-Century PerspectivesRilke at Duino: The Adriatic coast inspired Rilke’s Duino Elegies, blending Italian landscapes with emotional metaphors.Kafka’s Italy: A mix of hope and bureaucratic frustration, as seen in The Trial.Ingeborg Bachmann: Rome served as both refuge and muse, capturing the city’s paradoxical beauty and decay.Thomas Mann: Italy as a land of beauty and decadence, explored in works like Death in Venice and Mario and the Magician.Post-War Italy: A Symbol of FreedomEconomic Boom: Italy emerged as a tourism mecca, symbolizing joy and carefree living.Cultural Impact: Films like Go Trabi Go (1991) celebrated the newfound freedom to travel after the fall of the Berlin Wall.Modern Love Affair: Continued through Netflix series, books, and music, such as Roy Bianco und die Abbrunzati Boys’ Italian-inspired songs.Notable QuotesGoethe: "It feels as if I had been born and raised here and was now returning from a Greenland voyage, from a whale hunt."Clemens Brentano: "O Italy, land of longing, / You homeland of my dreams, / I greet you with burning heart, / With tears in my eyes."Heinrich Heine: "If Italy, as the poets sing, can be compared to a beautiful woman, then Florence is the bouquet of flowers on her heart."Ingeborg Bachmann: "Italy is for me a double-edged sword. It is the beauty that attracts me, and the ugliness that repels me."MUSIC CREDITSVIVALDI: The Four Seasons, "Winter" Concerto No. 4 in F minorMONTEVERDI: Chi vuol veder d'inverno un dolce aprile (No. 14)ROSSINI: String Sonata No. 3 in C MajorCIMAROSA: Siciliana in A minorPUCCINI: La BohèmeItalian traditional music (remixed)Serge Pavkin on PixabayAmbient sounds recorded on locationSUBSCRIBE ON BEYONDBERLIN.SUBSTACK.COM Stories —big and small— that start in Berlin and look eastward, where Europe´s heart beats and its future unfolds. Blog / Photograhy / Podcast Get full access to Beyond Berlin at beyondberlin.substack.com/subscribe
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    24 mins