Saxony-Anhalt marks first official Day of Liberation with calls for action
Today marks the Day of Liberation, remembering the end of World War II in Europe and Germany’s unconditional surrender in 1945. For the first time, Saxony-Anhalt is officially observing May 8 as a day of remembrance, following a push by the Left Party in the state parliament. Eva von Angern, chair of the Left Party’s parliamentary group, stressed that the anniversary must not become an empty ritual. She called for the day to carry real meaning, particularly as fewer survivors remain to share their experiences. Memorial sites, she argued, need secure funding and modernisation to keep history alive.
Von Angern also demanded that the lessons of the past stay sharp. The memory of Nazi atrocities, including Auschwitz, must endure, and the ideology behind them must be actively opposed. She paid tribute to the soldiers of the Anti-Hitler Coalition, resistance fighters, and partisans who helped bring about liberation.
The Left Party has already taken steps to ensure younger generations engage with this history. Through a parliamentary initiative, they made visits to memorial sites mandatory for students in Saxony-Anhalt. Von Angern also insisted that the demands 'Never again war!' and 'Never again fascism!' must remain inseparable. She warned against the far right regaining influence over laws and reaffirmed that all people must be treated as equally valuable.
Her message was clear: forgetting is not an option. Democracy, she said, must be defended every day, not just on anniversaries. The new observance in Saxony-Anhalt reflects a broader effort to preserve the legacy of liberation. With mandatory school visits to memorial sites and calls for sustained funding, the state aims to ensure future generations understand the past. The Left Party’s initiatives seek to turn remembrance into action against fascism and inequality.
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