Festival of Critical Thought: 50 Years Since Biermann’s Expulsion from the GDR

Fifty years ago, following a concert in Cologne, East Germany stripped the well-known artist and dissident Wolf Biermann of his citizenship and barred him from returning – a turning point with far-reaching consequences in German contemporary history.

The ‘Festival of Critical Thought’, organised by the Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Germany, reflects on Biermann’s expatriation and its consequences, drawing parallels with the present day. At Kino International, Wolf Biermann himself takes to the stage to sing and share his experiences of a life straddling East and West. Angela Merkel reflects on his expatriation, offering personal insights. Pinar Atalay leads conversations with Wolf Biermann, the musician Balbina, and contemporary witnesses. In literary and artistic panoramas, prominent figures from the worlds of theatre, literature and music engage with his work. Writers currently in exile read their own texts on protest, loss, language and freedom. The new feature-length documentary BIERMANN (2026) will also be screened.

Featuring: Wolf Biermann, Angela Merkel, Balbina, Fabian Hinrichs, Pinar Atalay, Salwa Houmsi, Betterov, Gabriele Stötzer, Thomas Brussig, Bettina Wegner, Durs Grünbein, Charlotte Gneuß, Andrej Hermlin, Julia Schoch, Marko Martin, Lea Streisand, Lukas Rietzschel, Doris Liebermann, Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk and others.

Reading as ‘voices of exile’: Alhierd Bacharevič, Delschad Numan Khorschid, Volha Hapeyeva, Ali Abdollahi, Mariam Meetra, Kateryna Mishchenko, Taqi Akhlaqi and Widad Nabi.

5pm to 0pm. Film screening from 10:30pm. Admission at 4pm.

Venue:
Kino International
Karl-Marx-Allee 33, 10178 Berlin

Step-free access; upper floor accessible by lift; accessible toilets available.