Right-wing radicalism and anti-Semitism in the GDR
Lecture and discussion with Dr Harry Waibel at the adult education centre
On Tuesday, 14 June 2016 at 7 pm, Dr Harry Waibel will present his many years of research on racism in the GDR at the adult education centre in the TIETZ, Moritzstraße 20. In the TIETZ event hall, he will show lines of development and processes of radicalisation, describe events and explain the consequences for today's society. Admission is free.
As a result of his research, Dr Harry Waibel argues that racism and right-wing radicalism permeate the history of the GDR and were not transferred from the West. Nor did they all stem from the German past. Since the late 1970s at the latest, a militant right-wing radicalism of a Nazi flavour and a strong ethnic nationalism had been developing among the population. SED policy also relied on such cards in a contradictory process. This legacy was brought into a united Germany with serious consequences. Militancy and cultural subversion, nationalist-revolutionary attitudes and mixing with 'youth cultural mimicry' characterise the next two decades of German development. Today, neo-ethnic movements are raising their voices and beginning to politically attack democracy at its centre.
Dr Harry Waibel is a historian and qualified educationalist. He researches the causes and course of neo-fascism, racism and anti-Semitism in the GDR and published the standard work "Rechtsextremismus in der DDR". Other works include: "Diener vieler Herren - Handbuch ehemaliger NS-Funktionäre in der SBZ/DDR".
In co-operation with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.
For further information please contact:
Josef Lenz
Chemnitz Adult Education Centre, Head of the Society Department
Telephone: 0371 488-4321
E-mail: lenz(at)vhs-chemnitz.de