evental

Es war einmal ein Land

took place · 6 Oct 2026

Altes Rathaus Göttingen, Germany

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Es war einmal ein Land — Altes Rathaus Göttingen, Göttingen
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Why Eastern Germany is turning away from democracy

"The end of democracy in Eastern Germany will come. Perhaps it is already here." With this assessment, Jana Hensel opens her widely acclaimed book Es war einmal ein Land (Aufbau 2026) - yet seeks explanations nonetheless. What are the tipping points in over 35 years of German reunification? Hensel describes in narrative form the long rightward shift that for many East Germans once began on the left.

The journalist and author (including Zonenkinder) discusses the rightward drift and the role of Gerhard Schröder's Hartz IV legislation with Benjamin Bühring.