Excitement in Klütz: Michel Friedman disinvited because of protests!

Excitement in Klütz: Michel Friedman disinvited because of protests!

In the small town of Klütz in the district of Northwest Mecklenburg, which is normally considered tranquil with its 3,000 inhabitants, the announced reading by the Frankfurt publicist Michel Friedman for autumn 2026 has caused a stir. The reading was supposed to take place on the occasion of Hannah Arendt's 120th birthday, but this planning took an unexpected turn. Mayor Jürgen Mevius (UWG) instructed the head of the literature house, Oliver Hintz, to disinvite Friedman because there were concerns about possible protests from right-wing disruptors or Hamas sympathizers. The situation is causing divided opinions in the city. While some citizens see the disinvitation as necessary to maintain the peaceful atmosphere, others criticize it as a restriction on freedom of expression. NDR, daily news

The mayor also raised financial concerns by claiming that Friedman's fee was too high and would violate fiscal rules. However, critics see this as an unacceptable mixing of cultural and financial policy. Ana Sojor, an artist from the region, sharply criticized the disinvitation and noted that such decisions endanger the values ​​of a democratic society. “Democracy and free thinking are essential,” says Sojor. For many in Klütz, the political excitement is far removed from their everyday concerns, which underlines the low participation of residents in the discussion. Some residents want more than anything for the city to calm down soon. NDR

Criticism and support for Friedman

The city administration's decision made headlines not only in Klütz, but also nationwide. The anti-Semitism commissioner Felix Klein emphasized that the cancellation represents an attack on freedom of expression. Meron Mendel, director of the Anne Frank Educational Center, expressed concern about premature obedience from cultural institutions to possible protests. “We must absolutely reject a culture of boycott,” Mendel made clear. The PEN Center in Darmstadt asked to support Friedman and sees the developing debate as a warning signal for freedom of speech in Germany. Michel Friedman himself described the disinvitation as “embarrassing hypocrisy” and did not want to be intimidated by such actions. On September 29, he plans to speak at a PEN rally in Klütz to advocate for freedom of expression and cultural autonomy. daily news

There are also voices in Klütz who fear that large rallies could disrupt the calm mood in the city. However, Rolf-Otto Kruse, a tourist guide in the region, sees the village community as functioning well and warns of possible damage to its image. “It is important that we hear the different voices in the discussion without allowing ourselves to be pushed into a corner of exclusion,” he emphasizes. The lack of clear interest or targeted information among many city residents adds another layer to the complexity of the situation. NDR

Protest and democracy

The disputes over Friedman's disinvitation raise larger questions about the challenges to democracy and freedom of expression. Scholars studying the impact of protest movements on democracies in Europe have found that distrust in political institutions has increased sharply, leading to a decline in political participation. Such trends can be observed in many European countries and could also have an impact on the situation in Klütz, where part of the population is striving for a quick de-escalation of the controversies. Volkswagen Foundation