Solidarity evening with Levit and the Toten Hosen
With music, readings and speeches, numerous celebrities such as pianist Igor Levit took a stand against anti-Semitism in Berlin. Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer, rock band Die Toten Hosen, journalist Michel Friedman, actress Katharina Thalbach and TV chef Tim Mälzer were among those who performed at the Berliner Ensemble on Monday evening. Readings included a text by French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and from Carolin Emcke's book "Gegen den Hass" (Against Hate).
Friedländer wished for more humanity during a brief appearance on stage. "I am appalled by what has now opened up," said the 102-year-old, who is an honorary citizen of the city of Berlin. "We are all human beings, we all come into this world in the same way. There is no Christian blood, no Muslim blood, no Jewish blood. There is only human blood." She emphasized: "We can and must take care, we must be human."
Michel Friedman said that everyone can do something against hate. "At the end of the day, as always in human history, it is the few (...) who want to destroy people with their hatred and their poison. But they can only do it because the many do nothing." That is why it is up to the many to do something.
The event initiated by Levit and Friedman entitled "Against silence. Against anti-Semitism" initiated by Levit and Friedman was sold out within a few minutes, according to the theater. A number of politicians, including Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) and Green Party leader Omid Nouripour, were also guests at the almost four-hour evening. The proceeds from the event will be donated to a counseling center for anti-Semitic violence and an initiative against anti-Semitism.
Source: www.dpa.com
