Remembrance and dealing with: discussion round after Magdeburg attack

Remembrance and dealing with: discussion round after Magdeburg attack

On Tuesday, July 1st, the interdisciplinary ring lecture with the title "The attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market and its consequences" ends at the Magdeburg-Stendal University. This series of events, which started on April 22, attracted over 300 participants and offers a comprehensive review and a view of the role of universities in crisis situations. The discussion round begins at 6.15 p.m., in house 14, lecture hall 2, on the Breitscheidstraße campus. The event is organized by Prof. Dr. Claudia Nothelle and Prof. Dr. Matthias Quent, who also take over the moderation. The rector of the Otto von Guericke University, Prof. Dr. Jens Strackeljan, and the Vice -Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Kerstin Baumgarten will also be a guest and offer space for critical reflections and suggestions.

sad background to commemoration

The reason for this lecture series is the terrible attack that was committed on December 20, 2024 at the Magdeburg Christmas market. An assassin raced into the crowd with an SUV and demanded six fatalities and over 300 injuries, many of whom are seriously affected. The alleged perpetrator is now in custody and the process will begin this year. The incident not only raised questions about the security measures in Magdeburg, but far beyond. To date, these are not continuously resolved as well as people who are affected, such as the temporary worker Bastian-Joel Hein, who helped care of the injured and has since suffered from delusion.

A permanent monument is planned to commemorate the victims. Candles burn every day in front of the Johanniskirche, and the square is decorated with plush animals that are left by grieving. The Mayor of Magdeburg, Simone Borris, also plans to celebrate the first anniversary of the attack. The Christmas market is to take place again in 2025 in the same place, which causes mixed reactions from the population.

processing and questions of responsibility

The tragic events have also led to an investigation committee in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, which was set up to clarify the responsibilities. The committee chairman Karin Tschernich-Weiske has already complained about the previous results. It remains to be seen whether the required clear responsibilities can be created. People with a migration background have also been increasingly exposed to hostility since the attack, which further enlarges social tensions.

The lecture series not only offers a space for reflection on what is happening and their consequences, but also for the discussion about the role of universities in future crises. To this end, the students of the university are invited to actively submit questions and suggestions to enrich the debate and go into their personal concerns.

For more information about the upcoming discussion round and the entire lecture series, the website of the project "Integrative Democratic research in the state of Saxony-Anhalt" is at IDK-LSA.de

For all interested parties, participation in the discussion round is possible both on site and online, which makes the event even more accessible. So visit the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences to take part in this important and necessary discussion.