Controversial on location - Three times current affairs

Over the next two weeks, the Chemnitz Adult Education Centre, in cooperation with the Saxon State Centre for Political Education (slpb), is inviting interested parties to three events as part of the "Controversial on Site" project. Current topics - such as the reality of life in Iran, controversial and hotly debated forms of protest and portraits of East German female politicians from very different political camps - will be discussed. Admission is free of charge.


Monday, 22 April, 7 to 9 p.m.
Life stories from Iran - talk with the artist Nazanin Zandi
Venue: Open Space Chemnitz, Brückenstraße 10
Information and registration at www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/S2410115

In 2022, the whole world was watching Iran. The death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini triggered the largest mass demonstrations in the history of the Islamic Republic. Many of the women and men who protested were arrested, tortured and executed by the regime. In the meantime, the protests have fallen silent. But the revolutionary process continues. How do Iranians living in Germany view their country? Or Germans with Iranian roots?

The artist Nazanin Zandi was born in Iran and attended school there. She now lives and works in Dresden. She is committed to civil society in Iran and women's rights. In her lecture, she gives us an insight into the history of the country by talking about her family living in Iran and showing photos from the family album. "Individual life stories can help to make the world understandable," she says.

Freelance journalist Jan Theurich moderates the event and introduces historical and political events and facts. Together, the two will talk about the struggle of civil society against the regime and repeatedly delve into the country's history.


Thursday, 25 April, 7 to 9 p.m.
"Walks" and sit-in blockades - controversial protests
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre, TIETZ, course room 4.07
Information and registration at www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/S2410160

Demonstrations are an important part of democracy. The right to assemble and express one's own opinions is guaranteed both by the German constitution and by European treaties. In many places around the world - for example in Iran, Russia or China - demonstrating for freedom on the streets can cost people their lives.

In Germany, there have been debates in recent years about restricting freedom of assembly, for example in connection with the pandemic. Controversial protests include the Monday demonstrations in Saxony, which have been marching through the streets of large and small cities for several years. Depending on the current situation, they are directed against coronavirus measures, energy policy or refugee facilities. They are sometimes organised and led by right-wing extremist parties and movements that seek to connect with the centre of society in this way.

A current example of controversial protests - from a completely different political direction - are the actions of the Last Generation. One part of society shows understanding and declares support for the climate activists' goals, while another becomes critical, impatient and sometimes even aggressive towards the demonstrators.

In the event on controversial protests, the speakers Dr Piotr Kocyba and Dr Alexander Leistner will give brief inputs on current protest movements and place them in a historical context. They will then discuss the legitimisation of the protest movements presented and their impact on social cohesion and democracy with the participants.

Dr Piotr Kocyba is a protest researcher and expert on Eastern Central Europe from the Else Frenkel-Brunswik Institute at Leipzig University and a board member of the Institute for Protest and Movement Research.
Dr Alexander Leistner is a protest researcher at the Institute for Cultural Studies at Leipzig University. Main research interests: GDR opposition, East German protest culture, sociology of violence.


Tuesday, 30 April, 7 to 9 p.m.
"Women in Landscapes" - portraits of four East German female politicians
Documentary film followed by a discussion
Venue: Event hall, TIETZ, 3rd floor
Information and registration at www.vhs-chemnitz.de/kurs/S2410165

There's no doubt about it: East German women can do politics! They drive social change and fight for their convictions. Anke Domscheit-Berg (Die Linke), Yvonne Magwas (CDU), Frauke Petry (non-party, formerly AfD) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) are the protagonists in Sabine Michel's new film. The director was awarded the Grimme Prize in 2012 and has been a member of the German Film Academy since 2019.

Born in Dresden in 1971, the author and director illuminates East German perspectives and realities of life in many of her works. The documentary "Women in Landscapes" uses empathetic interviews to create an atmosphere in which the audience can participate in the professional and political as well as very personal experiences of the women portrayed. Despite all the differences between the political positions and offices as well as the everyday lives of the four female politicians, their GDR biographies are a unifying element.

After the film screening, all participants are cordially invited to a discussion with the director. The discussion is also intended to provide an opportunity to share experiences and to network among those involved in local politics and all interested citizens.