▶
Right-wing historical myths

A challenge for society, academia and politics

Right-wing populist and radical right-wing movements are increasingly using history further their political agendas. Across Europe and the rest of the world, they attempt to promote glorified images of the past and nationalist myths. History is supposed to demonstrate national greatness and create a sense of identity – one that is often based on exclusion, authoritarian values and traditional role models.

This poses a serious challenge for politics, academia, and civil society. Democratic actors must formulate responses to these reinterpretations of the past and it is therefore all the more important that they develop new perspectives on the political dimension of history.

On September 8 at 7 p.m., the Heinrich Böll Foundation, in partnership with the Leibniz Research Alliance "Value of the Past" and the Max Weber Foundation, invites you to discuss the political power of history within the context of the ongoing shift to the right and its implications for democracy.

The focus will be on the following questions:
- What role do history and right-wing historical revisionism currently play in politics and the public sphere?
- Where are the differences - for example between East and West Germany or between different countries?
- How can democratic actors and institutions react to historical revisionism from the right?
- Are we experiencing a new politicization of history - and if so, what risks and opportunities does this entail?
- What significance does history have for democratic culture?

Program
Introduction
- Jan Philipp Albrecht, Chairman of the Heinrich Böll Foundation

Keynote speech “Historical Revisionism Today”
- Volker Weiß, historian and journalist

Panel discussion
- Frank Bösch, historian and Director of the Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History Potsdam
- Constanze Itzel, Director of the House of European History, Brussels
- Katja Meier, Member of the Saxon State Parliament and former Saxon State Minister of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality, Alliance 90/The Greens
- Volker Weiß, historian and journalist

Moderator: Christine Watty, Editorial Director and Presenter at Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Berlin