| Friday, October 24 |
4:00 p.m.
Admission and registration |
5:00 p.m.
Opening – Marion Schneider – |
5:15 p.m.
Theater group of Mellingen High School on Peace |
6:00 p.m.
Break |
6:45 p.m.
Aerial Acrobatics – AnneKa Luft & Sasha Zucker – With aerial silks and rope, the two artists create a poetic play between feminine and masculine principles. Accompanied by Russian jazz music (Pervoe Solnce), a small world emerges in which opposites meet and merge into a harmonious whole. |
7:00 p.m.
The Meaning of Peace in Our Time – Beate van der Meer – |
7:15 p.m.
Guitar Concert – André Krengel – |
9:00 p.m.
Disco for dancing (until 11:00 p.m.) with DJ Böttcher |
| Saturday, October 25 |
8:00 a.m.
Admission, registration, networking |
9:00 a.m.
Conscientious Objection – short introduction – Dirk Wohlgemut – Throughout the event, Dirk offers personal and individual consultations on conscientious objection. On request, he assists with formulating and addressing applications. |
9:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Topic of Separation of Powers: The separation of powers between legislation (legislature/parliament), execution of laws (executive/government), and judiciary (judges, prosecutors) forms the foundation of a functioning democracy. What is the state of the separation of powers in Germany? Is there a need for improvement? What could reforms look like? And what role can citizens – today often referred to as civil society – play? Would forms of direct democracy such as citizens’ assemblies, referendums, and popular votes foster stronger civic engagement and improve the functioning of democracy? These questions will be explored through contributions and discussion. |
9:15–9:40 a.m.
Vertical and Horizontal Separation of Powers in Germany – Ralf Ludwig, Attorney – In Germany, there exists the principle of dual separation of powers: horizontally between legislature, executive, and judiciary, and vertically between the federal, state, and municipal levels. Both are meant to prevent power concentration and to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, and active political participation. |
9:40–10:05 a.m.
Separation of Powers in Switzerland – Claudio Zanetti, Lawyer and Politician – This lecture explores Switzerland’s special model of separation of powers: based on federalism – the distribution of power between the Confederation, cantons, and municipalities – and direct democracy with citizens’ initiatives and referendums. |
10:05–10:30 a.m.
Discussion with audience participation |
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Break |
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Public discussion: Opportunities for a Bottom-Up Democracy: With Matthias Berger, independent member of the Saxon state parliament, Ralf Ludwig, and Claudio Zanetti on the possibilities of implementing new political frameworks for a grassroots democracy. Moderation: Marion Schneider |
12:00–1:30 p.m.
Lunch featuring kettle goulash and vegetarian pea soup prepared by the Mayor of Liebstedt, plus sandwiches |
1:30–5:30 p.m.
Dialogue – Russia and Germany |
1:30–2:00 p.m.
1725–2025: 300 Years of German-Russian “Kinship” – Jörg Ulrich Stange – The historian from Kiel reflects on the close dynastic ties between German noble houses and the Russian tsarist family, which fostered a strong German-Russian partnership in Europe over two centuries, leading to a rich cultural exchange. He also argues why it is legitimate to speak of a close “kinship” between our peoples, not merely in historical-dynastic terms. |
2:00–3:30 p.m.
How Geopolitical Narratives and Cultural Deep Structures Shape Our Relationship with Russia – Dr. Hauke Ritz – This lecture explores the cultural and geopolitical differences between Russia and the West – beyond day-to-day politics. Dr. Ritz examines why Russia pursues its own civilizational idea, the historical developments behind it, and what this means for Europe’s self-understanding. A plea for new, sovereign thinking in Europe – beyond bloc logic and enemy images. |
3:30–4:15 p.m.
Break with an abundant cake buffet by the Liebstedt bakers |
4:15–4:45 p.m.
Germany and the Germans – Friend or What? Changes in the Image of Germany in the Russian Federation – Iwana Steinigk – The Russian view of Germany, like any view of another society, depends on perspective and context. What role do perceptions and images of one another play in German-Russian relations? Based on Russian opinion polls – focusing on changes over the last ten years – this talk examines the image of Germany in the Russian Federation. How do political narratives, current events, and deep-seated stereotypes influence it? |
4:45–5:10 p.m.
Russian Language Instruction – A Bridge of Peace – Christiane Harder – The language teacher reports on her decades of experience training Russian teachers within the “Russian Week” program, which she leads. Teachers of German, Russian, and Ukrainian origin – as well as from Moldova, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Baltic States, the USA, and other countries – exchange experiences about school life, language, and teaching, reflecting on communication and peaceful coexistence. |
5:10–5:30 p.m.
Germany–Russia: Memory and Civil Society Perspectives – Christiane Reymann – This presentation offers a brief insight into civil society cooperation between Germany and Russia. It focuses on an upcoming educational and remembrance initiative for the 85th anniversary of the invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 2026, and the potential role of German civil society. |
| Sunday, October 26 |
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Admission, registration, networking |
9:00–9:35 a.m.
The Peace Movement of the 1980s – What Can We Learn? – Dr. Diether Dehm – Peace activists fought against the Cold War. They knew that a civilization can only thrive when there is no war. The speaker looks back at the history of the peace movement and examines the strategies that worked back then. |
9:35–9:55 a.m.
Networking and Fundraising – How Can the Peace Movement Succeed? – Sabina Kocherhans – This lecture provides insight into networks we can build today to strengthen the peace movement. Ideas for fundraising and practical examples complete the topic. |
9:55 a.m.
Break |
10:15–11:45 a.m.
Workshops |
11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Lunch |
1:15–2:00 p.m.
Music for Peace – Yann Song King – |
3:00–4:00 p.m.
Presentation of Workshop Results and Closing Statement |
4:00 p.m.
Apollo and Clio – A Theater Play by Gerben and Christine van der Heide |
