In remembrance of 80 years since the end of the war

Literature attempts to see the present, recognize the future, but above all, to understand the past. In this context, the attempt to understand the experiences of World War II presents a particular challenge of our history. Survivors struggle with their own and others' guilt, fear, and trauma. Walter Kempowski's collective diary "Das Echolot," this epochal masterpiece of German-language literature, captures the voices of the witnesses. This four-volume major work collects diary entries and other texts from both victims and perpetrators about their experiences from 1941 to 1945. Alongside prominent voices such as Bertold Brecht, Erich Maria Remarque, or Ernst Jünger, unknown individuals also have their say – a wide spectrum of ordinary civilians and low-ranking soldiers.

The actor Stefan Kurt, known for "Schattenmann," and the actress Crescentia Dünßer, who is at home on numerous German-language theater stages, lend their voices to the historical sources and let us experience how people perceived the days of German capitulation on May 8, 1945. A less contemporary but equally literary high-quality insight into this phase of German history is provided by the author Ralf Rothmann. He reads from his bestseller novel "Im Frühling sterben." In it, he looks at the German Eastern Front just before the end of the war. He engages with the experiences, emotions, and fears of the young soldiers fighting and dying there in lost positions.

The Rudolf-Oetker-Halle and the Bielefeld Philharmonic Orchestra provide both a historical and musical framework for this special date – 80 years since the end of the war. The compositions of Arvo Pärt and Benjamin Britten reflect this time in an impressive way.