This famous quote by East German author Christa Wolf (1929-2011) suggests the possibility of realizing the dream of Socialism—a Socialism that allows people to live a self-determined life. It is a version of Socialism without state repression that guarantees all citizens, such as freedom of speech and movement. Christa Wolf, who was one of the speakers at the peaceful protests in East Berlin on November 4, 1989, demanded a revolutionary renewal from the bottom up. Wolf said, “Top and bottom are reversed in the value system, turning the socialist society upside-down and back onto its feet.”

In a panel discussion with John W. Borneman (Princeton University), Andreas Günther (RLS–NYC), Stefan Liebich (MdB, Die Linke), and Megan Svoboda (DSA National Political Committee) we will remember this time of peaceful protest in the GDR, just before the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. We will discuss the historical significance of these events as well as their implications for the demands on democratic socialism, then and now.

Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 6 pm
Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung—NYC Office
275 Madison Ave, Suite 2114 (entrance on 40th St)
New York, NY 10016

Doors open at 5:30 pm. A light dinner will be served.