“For Our Freedom and Yours.” Gathering of the German-Ukrainian Society in Lviv

The slogan “For Our Freedom and Yours,” which has united the members of the newly founded German-Ukrainian Society, serves as a reminder of historical continuity. First used during the November Uprising in Poland and later during the Prague Spring, the motto still resonates today, when once again we are defending the values of freedom and human rights.

The German-Ukrainian Society was founded in 2023 as an initiative of German civil society. It is led by Franziska Davies, a German historian, and Liudmyla Melnyk, a researcher at the Institute for European Politics in Berlin.

“Today it is Ukraine that is fighting not only for its own freedom, but also for ours — for a free and peaceful Europe,” says Franziska. “We are convinced that German-Ukrainian friendship is a vital axis for such a Europe.”

The work of the German-Ukrainian Society focuses on fostering dialogue, supporting Ukrainian voices in Germany, spreading knowledge about the Ukrainian language, culture and history in the German-speaking world, as well as consistently supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. INDEX joined the initiative as a partner to help strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Join us on 26 September for an evening discussion introducing the mission and work of the German-Ukrainian Society. The participants will include essayist and translator of German literature Yurko Prokhasko, German historian Franziska Davies, and essayist and philosopher Vakhtang Kebuladze. The discussion will be moderated by INDEX programme coordinator, journalist and researcher Olesya Yaremchuk.

The event will take place in a new, symbolic linguistic format: the German participants will speak Ukrainian, while the Ukrainian participants will speak German. Simultaneous interpretation will be available. This introductory conversation will serve as a starting point for deeper understanding, dialogue and cooperation.

— Date: 26 September, 6 p.m.
— Venue: Lviv Culture Hub, 6 Kniazia Romana St.
— Working languages: German and Ukrainian
— Partners: INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange, German-Ukrainian Society, Lviv Culture Hub