First Berlin Freedom Week opens – Berlin celebrates freedom
- 130 events at over 80 locations
- The Berlin Freedom Mobile tours the districts
- Programme at berlin-freedom-week.com
Berlin, 8 November 2025 In Berlin, the city of freedom, the first Berlin Freedom Week was officially opened today. From 8 to 15 November 2025, more than 130 events will take place at 80 venues across the city. Among the speakers at the opening ceremony were Dennis Buchner, Vice President of the Berlin House of Representatives (representing its President Cornelia Seibeld), Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, as well as Masih Alinejad, Leopoldo López, and Garry Kasparov of the World Liberty Congress. The Berlin Freedom Week coincides with the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and is inspired by the World Liberty Congress, which brings together dissidents and democracy activists from around the world in Berlin.
Also in attendance at the opening were the initiators of the Berlin Freedom Week: Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin; Antje Schippmann, Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation; Frank Ebert, Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship; Rebecca Hernandez Garcia, Managing Director of the Robert Havemann Society; and, as part of the week’s program, Lillemor Mallau from the initiative “Meine Schönhauser Allee” and the Colosseum Film Theater.
Caption: Official opening of Berlin Freedom Week in front of the House of Representatives with the Freedom Bell – with Elbegdorj Tsakhia (former President of Mongolia, delegate of the World Liberty Congress), Frank Ebert (Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship), Garry Kasparov (chess world champion, World Liberty Congress), Dennis Buchner (Vice-President of the Berlin House of Representatives), Masih Alinejad (World Liberty Congress), Kai Wegner (Governing Mayor of Berlin), Antje Schippmann (CEO of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation), Leopoldo López (World Liberty Congress), Burkhard Kieker (CEO of visitBerlin), Lillemor Mallau (initiative "Meine Schönhauser Allee" and from the Colosseum cinema) and Rebecca Hernandez Garcia (Managing Director of the Robert Havemann Society), (from left to right)
Diversity of Freedom: 130 events, 80 locations
The programme ranges from panel discussions, readings and film screenings to conversations with contemporary witnesses, art events and city tours. Highlights include:
- International Storytelling Salon, 9 November 2025, Berlin Wall Memorial
- BND Action Day "Freedom.Security.Dialogue", 10 November 2025, BND Visitor Centre
- Badicucao & Melissa Chan: "You must take part in revolution", 10 November 2025, Literaturhaus Berlin
- Letter-writing workshop with former political prisoners from Belarus, 11 November 2025, LIBERECO
- "What remains when freedom is lost?" – Discussion about courage, responsibility and humanity, 11 November 2025, Konrad Adenauer Foundation
- Screening of the historical documentary drama "Yaroslav the Wise" followed by a discussion, 12 November 2025, Canadian Embassy
- "From Stasi to spyware: old methods, new technologies", 12 November 2025, Campus for Democracy
- Taiwanese Night Market, 13 November 2025, Markthalle Neun
- "Stories of Freedom", 14 November 2025, Colosseum cinema
A highlight of the Freedom Week is the Berlin Freedom Conference on 10 November, taking place at the Gasometer on the EUREF Campus. Leaders and experts from politics, business, civil society, and the media will come together for keynotes and panel discussions exploring how freedom and democracy can be protected and strengthened in an era of resurgent autocracies.
The Berlin Freedom Week Mobile tours Berlin
Accompanying the programme, the Berlin Freedom Week Mobile will tour all Berlin districts from 8 to 15 November. The mobile stage with its replica of the Freedom Bell will stop at central memorial sites and locations of democracy. At each stop, visitors are invited to discover stories of courage and join the discussion about freedom and democracy in today's world.
- Saturday, 8 November 2025, 19 – 22 p.m.: Stasi-Zentrale. Campus für Demokratie, Lichtenberg
- Sunday, 9 November 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Berlin Wall Memorial, Mitte
- Monday, 10 November 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.: EUREF Campus Gasometer, Schöneberg
- Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Bebelplatz, Mitte
- Wednesday, 12 November 2025, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Schöneberg Town Hall, Schöneberg
- Thursday, 13 November 2025, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Berlin House of Representatives, Mitte
- Friday, 14 November 2025, 10:30 – 15:30 Uhr: East Side Gallery, Friedrichshain
- Saturday, 15 November 2025, 13 – 18 p.m.: DDR Museum, Mitte
Voices on freedom
On the occasion of today’s opening, the following speakers said:
Cornelia Seibeld, President of the Berlin House of Representatives: "Berlin stands like no other place for the power of freedom and the importance of democracy. Berlin Freedom Week reminds us that freedom and democracy can never be taken for granted. They thrive on people's commitment, dialogue and mutual respect. The ringing of the Freedom Bell reminds us that freedom and democracy do not just fall into our laps. They must be fought for and defended again and again."
Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin: "On the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin will become an international forum for freedom, peace and democracy. In 1989, courageous women and men brought down the Wall, and the peaceful revolution led to the end of the SED dictatorship. The will for freedom prevailed. Today, Berlin Freedom Week will send out a message: we are united in solidarity in the fight for freedom, democracy and human rights."
Antje Schippmann, CEO of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation: "Freedom is the foundation of everything – for a life in dignity, prosperity, and security. Berlin Freedom Week confidently defends freedom against its enemies. It is dedicated to those who resist authoritarian regimes today, to political prisoners whose cases we bring to light, and it stands in solidarity with the people in the frontline democracies, from Ukraine to Taiwan. We are therefore especially honored to welcome the former President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, whose leadership embodies the courage and determination that define the struggle for freedom everywhere."
Frank Ebert, Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship: "The images of the peaceful revolution in Eastern Europe and the GDR gave the whole world hope for a peaceful and free future. I am delighted that so many dissidents from a wide variety of countries are coming together in the city that stands for freedom like no other. At the same time, however, I regret that this meeting cannot also take place in Tehran, Caracas, Moscow or Beijing. With this conference and week, we will highlight the commitment of many people, both past and present, to a life in freedom."
Burkhard Kieker, CEO visitBerlin: "The World Liberty Congress meeting in the Berlin House of Representatives is the inspiration for the first Berlin Freedom Week. It is a great honour for us that people who campaign for freedom and human rights worldwide are coming here to talk about the future of democracy. "
Masih Alinejad, President, World Liberty Congress: "The Berlin Wall fell because people refused to believe it was permanent. The walls dictators build around our voices, our bodies, and our futures are no different. The World Liberty Congress is here in Berlin to help bring them down."
Leopoldo López, Secretary General, World Liberty Congress: "Berlin proves that change is possible. The World Liberty Congress is uniting the courage, experience, and leadership of dissidents from every corner of the world where authoritarianism still stands — not just to imagine a freer future, but to build it."
Rebecca Hernandez Garcia, Robert Havemann Society: "Berlin Freedom Week builds a bridge between the courageous people in the GDR who stood up against the communist dictatorship and the struggles for freedom in today's world. It reminds us that freedom, democracy and human rights are universal values that must be defended again and again against authoritarian structures. "
Lillemor Mallau from the initiative "Meine Schönhauser Allee" and the Colosseum cinema:
"I believe in the transformative power of film: film has the unique, fascinating power to trigger change in people's minds. Film and culture are the most important allies in the fight for democracy and human rights. We are proud to be part of Berlin Freedom Week with 'Stories of Freedom' at the Colosseum and to show the stories of women fighting for freedom and human rights."
Initiators, media partners and sponsors
The patron of Berlin Freedom Week is Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. The first Berlin Freedom Week is being initiated by visitBerlin, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation and the World Liberty Congress, the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship and the Robert Havemann Society.
Programme and note to the media
The complete programme for Berlin Freedom Week can be found at berlin-freedom-week.com and berlin-freedom-conference.com.
Instagram: @berlinfreedomweek and @berlinfreedomconference. We would be happy to coordinate your interview requests with the initiators involved. Media service at about.visitBerlin.de/medienservice-berlin-freedom-week
Über uns
Berlin Freedom Week
The Berlin Freedom Week (8–15 November 2025) is an inaugural week-long event dedicated to the idea of freedom, with plans to be held annually from 2025 onward. Through a diverse program of conferences, art, culture, and public dialogue, it aims to inspire both Berliners and international guests and to promote exchange on the importance of democratic values in today’s world. berlin-freedom-week.com and visitberlin.de/en/berlin-freedom-week
Berlin Freedom Conference
The Berlin Freedom Conference will take place for the first time on 10 November 2025 at the Gasometer Schöneberg. It will bring together leading voices from politics, business, civil society, culture, and the media to launch new democratic alliances and powerfully advance the global commitment to freedom and democracy.
More information and tickets at berlin-freedom-conference.com.
World Liberty Congress
The World Liberty Congress is the largest global pro-democracy alliance, uniting more than 200 dissidents from over 60 autocratically governed countries. Its mission is to support the fight for freedom within authoritarian regimes, foster international solidarity, and develop a shared strategy to advance democracy worldwide. worldlibertycongress.org
Axel Springer Freedom Foundation
The Axel Springer Freedom Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting human rights defenders living under authoritarian regimes. Defending freedom and democracy — and showing solidarity with those who suffer under autocratic rule — was a guiding principle for the company’s founder, Axel Springer. Today, the foundation carries this legacy forward with renewed determination. Backed by a strong advisory board of experienced human rights advocates, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation organizes events, installations, and publications. It also raises funds to directly support the work of dissidents and their organizations. freedom.axelspringer.com/en/
Die Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft e.V.
The Robert Havemann Society documents the history and experiences of opposition and resistance under the communist dictatorship and promotes the values of the Peaceful Revolution: democracy, freedom, and human rights. With its Archive of the GDR Opposition — the most comprehensive collection of materials on opposition and resistance to the communist dictatorship since 1945 — and its extensive expertise in curating exhibitions and events, publishing, and maintaining a strong digital presence, the Robert Havemann Society serves as a central point of reference in the field of historical reappraisal and research. havemann-gesellschaft.de
Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship
Since March 2023, Frank Ebert has served as the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship. He was nominated by the Berlin Senate and appointed by the Berlin House of Representatives. Ebert, a former member of the East German opposition, has long been committed to educating the public about the SED regime. The Commissioner operates independently, both professionally and politically. His three core responsibilities include: advising victims of the SED dictatorship and public institutions; supporting educational and memorial projects about the East German regime; and offering the public political and historical education programs. He is also a point of contact for individuals seeking rehabilitation or compensation for political imprisonment, applying for victim pensions, or accessing their Stasi files. In addition, he advises authorities on matters relating to GDR history and supports the work of the Stasi Records Archive. aufarbeitung-berlin.de
visitBerlin
“Inspiring the world for Berlin.” With this mission, Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH promotes Berlin’s destination management as well as the city’s tourism and congress marketing. Under the visitBerlin brand, the company is a partner, actor, source of creative ideas, and networker. Its remit is focused on sustainable product development and marketing city-compatible tourism services in all twelve Berlin boroughs with the aim of maintaining the life quality of local residents and harmoniously increasing experience value for visitors. As a tour operator, visitBerlin also issues the Berlin WelcomeCard, the city’s official tourist ticket. The company also operates the Berlin Tourist Info Centres. On visitBerlin.de, Berlin’s official tourism website, visitors can find all the information they need on every aspect of their trip to the city. Find out more about visitBerlin on about.visitBerlin.de.
