Published on 17.07.2025
Berlin is set to celebrate the inaugural Berlin Freedom Week from 8 to 15 November 2025: international voices for freedom, a citywide programme, patron Kai Wegner, initiated by leading institutions.
Press conference start Berlin Freedom Week
Berlin, 17 July 2025 In autumn 2025, Berlin will become an international forum for freedom and democracy with the launch of the first Berlin Freedom Week. Starting this year, the Berlin Freedom Week will take place annually around the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, serving as a new flagship format that links historical legacy with the challenges of the present. At a press conference held today at Berlin’s City Hall, Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and the initiators of the Berlin Freedom Week presented the key elements of the week’s program.
The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner: “Berlin is the city of freedom. On the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, our city is once again sending a strong signal for freedom, peace, and democracy: With the first Berlin Freedom Week, the city is becoming an international forum for people who fight for freedom, who are immeasurably courageous, and who fight for their vision of a free and democratic world.”
Berlin Freedom Week will take place from November 8 to 15, 2025, and ties in with the historical commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the courage of the people in the Peaceful Revolution. A diverse program of high-caliber conferences and dialogue formats, workshops, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, plays, city tours, and discussions with contemporary witnesses is planned. Organizations and institutions are invited to participate in the program with their own formats on the theme of freedom and democracy. It is aimed equally at a politically interested specialist audience and the general public in Berlin and beyond. Berlin is thus once again positioning itself as a city of freedom and offering a platform for all those who are committed to human rights and democratic values.
The central event: Berlin will host the General Assembly of the World Liberty Congress, the largest global alliance of defenders of democracy, bringing together over 200 delegates from more than 60 autocratically ruled countries.
A highlight of the week will be the first Berlin Freedom Conference, which will bring together around 800 guests and leading representatives from politics, business, civil society, culture, and the media at the Gasometer Schöneberg on November 10. The aim of the new conference format is to bring together decision-makers with new voices and idea generators and to develop new responses needed to defend and strengthen freedom and democracy worldwide. The conference is a joint event organized by the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the World Liberty Congress, and visitBerlin. It is sponsored by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin.
The opening of Berlin Freedom Week, which will take place on November 8 at the Campus for Democracy in cooperation with the Federal Archives – Stasi Records Archive as a key partner of Berlin Freedom Week, will be followed by a citywide program. This includes a themed movie day at the Colosseum movie theater, an interdisciplinary cybersecurity event at the former Stasi headquarters, and a variety of other partner formats such as a Freedom Tech Forum at the French Embassy, events at the Polish Embassy and Czech Embassy, with the German-Taiwanese Dialogue Platform and the Taipei Representative Office in Berlin, democracy workshops for school classes at the Bettina von Arnim Library, a day at the Federal Intelligence Service, a youth academy with an evening panel discussion hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and other formats with the Freundeskreis Yad Vashem e.V., the Aspen Institute, the Better Politics Foundation, Be an Angel e.V., the American Jewish Committee, WIIS.de, Berlin Science Week, and many more. International defenders of democracy will contribute their perspectives and experiences to the week's events—for a joint debate on the value of freedom in a world under pressure. The circle of partners will continue to grow until November. Organizations, educational and cultural institutions, and companies are invited to actively participate in the first Berlin Week of Freedom.
Leopoldo López, leading member of the Venezuelan opposition and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress: "Berlin has always stood at the crossroads of liberty and tyranny. From the shadows of the Berlin Wall to the fall of totalitarian regimes, the city has been a beacon for those fighting for freedom. World Liberty Congress members are the next chapter in that legacy. We are more than survivors of modern authoritarian regimes. We are architects of a freer future."
Frank Ebert, Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship: "The confrontation with the SED dictatorship reminds us that freedom must never be taken for granted. The memory of the injustice suffered and the courage of those who stood up for their rights serve as a constant reminder. The Berlin Freedom Week connects this historical reckoning with today’s global struggles and shows that the lessons of the past are more relevant than ever."
Rebecca Hernandez Garcia, Head of the GDR Opposition Archive at the Robert Havemann Society: "With its archive of East German opposition, the Robert Havemann Society contributes vital historical context to the Berlin Freedom Week — through testimonies and stories of resistance against the communist dictatorship. As head of the archive, I am proud to support this work in strengthening democratic values and preserving the memory of the struggle for freedom — for a vibrant culture of debate and a shared commitment to human rights around the world."
Antje Schippmann, Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation: "Autocracies are joining forces, undermining democratic institutions, and aggressively expanding their influence. For more than three years, Russia has waged a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, while China’s military threats against Taiwan continue to grow. It is high time for democratic forces to stand up resolutely for their values and to find common responses to these challenges. Germany has an important strategic role to play in this. The Berlin Freedom Week aims to become a vital forum to put freedom and democracy back on the offensive."
Burkhard Kieker, Managing Director of visitBerlin: "Once again, the German capital shows why it is recognized worldwide as a symbol of freedom and democracy. No other city is better suited than Berlin to celebrate freedom and to give a stage to committed voices from around the world who stand up for freedom, democracy, and human rights. That is exactly what we are initiating with the conference and the Freedom Week."
The patron of the Berlin Freedom Week is Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner. The first Berlin Freedom Week is initiated by visitBerlin, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the World Liberty Congress, the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship, and the Robert Havemann Society. Confirmed media partners include POLITICO, WELT, Tagesspiegel, and WALL. Sponsors of the first Berlin Freedom Week include the German Postcode Lottery, Airbnb, and Ideas Beyond Borders. The Berlin Freedom Conference is funded by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin.
Program and details: berlin-freedom-week.com and berlin-freedom-conference.com
Instagram:@berlinfreedomweekand @berlinfreedomconference
From 8 to 15 November 2025, Berlin will become the international capital of exchange on freedom, human rights, and democracy. The Berlin Freedom Week brings together decision-makers, thought leaders, institutions, cultural actors, and citizens from around the world — to develop new perspectives and alliances, and to find common responses to the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes. The program ranges from high-profile conferences and panel discussions to cultural events, youth formats, film screenings, and digital sessions. A selection of events at a glance:
8 November, Campus for Democracy
Opening of the "Berlin Freedom Week"
The official opening will take place on the historic grounds of the former Stasi headquarters — now the Campus for Democracy — and is supported by our key partner on site, the Stasi Records Archive – The Federal Archive.
10 November, Gasometer Schöneberg
"Berlin Freedom Conference"
The central conference of the Berlin Freedom Week takes place on 10 November, bringing together powerful voices from international politics, business, civil society, culture, and the media — to develop new perspectives, alliances, and concrete joint responses to strengthen democracy worldwide. The conference is jointly organized by visitBerlin, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, and the World Liberty Congress, and is supported by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin.
11 November, French Embassy
Freedom Tech Forum by La French Tech (partially open to the public)
Tech founders, CEOs, innovators, and leading policymakers will come together to explore how technology can be harnessed to advance freedom around the world.
11 November, Konrad Adenauer Foundation
Youth Academy & Panel Discussion
During the day, around 100 young people will engage in dialogue on the topics of freedom and tolerance. In the evening, a high-profile panel discussion will bring together diverse perspectives on current challenges and opportunities for freedom and tolerance.
12 November, Campus for Democracy (partially open to the public)
Cybersecurity Event: "From Stasi to Spyware – Old Methods, New Technologies"
How do Stasi-style surveillance and modern digital spyware affect individuals and societies? People affected by authoritarian surveillance mechanisms will share their personal experiences. Organized by the Stasi Records Archive / Federal Archives, the Robert Havemann Society, the Campus for Democracy Support Association, and Citizen Lab.
15 November, Filmtheater Colosseum
Film Day: "Stories of Freedom"
Film screenings and discussions with dissidents from the World Liberty Congress about courage, resistance, and the longing for freedom — with a special focus on "Women as Voices of Freedom."
For the General Assembly of the World Liberty Congress, more than 200 pro-democracy leaders from more than 60 autocratic countries will gather in Berlin to advance democratic change. For them, Berlin symbolizes the triumph of democracy over dictatorship. Bringing exiled activists and dissidents together sends a clear message: walls may fall, but solidarity endures. For security reasons, specific locations and times will not be disclosed. However, many of the participants will contribute to the public events throughout the week.
More information available at berlin-freedom-week.com
The Berlin Freedom Week (8–15 November 2025) is an inaugural week-long event dedicated to the idea of freedom, with plans to be held annually from 2025 onward. Through a diverse program of conferences, art, culture, and public dialogue, it aims to inspire both Berliners and international guests and to promote exchange on the importance of democratic values in today’s world. berlin-freedom-week.com and visitberlin.de/en/berlin-freedom-week
The Berlin Freedom Conference will take place for the first time on 10 November 2025 at the Gasometer Schöneberg. It will bring together leading voices from politics, business, civil society, culture, and the media to launch new democratic alliances and powerfully advance the global commitment to freedom and democracy. More information and tickets at berlin-freedom-conference.com.
The World Liberty Congress is the largest global pro-democracy alliance, uniting more than 200 dissidents from over 60 autocratically governed countries. Its mission is to support the fight for freedom within authoritarian regimes, foster international solidarity, and develop a shared strategy to advance democracy worldwide. worldlibertycongress.org
The Axel Springer Freedom Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting human rights defenders living under authoritarian regimes. Defending freedom and democracy — and showing solidarity with those who suffer under autocratic rule — was a guiding principle for the company’s founder, Axel Springer. Today, the foundation carries this legacy forward with renewed determination. Backed by a strong advisory board of experienced human rights advocates, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation organizes events, installations, and publications. It also raises funds to directly support the work of dissidents and their organizations. freedom.axelspringer.com/en/
The Robert Havemann Society documents the history and experiences of opposition and resistance under the communist dictatorship and promotes the values of the Peaceful Revolution: democracy, freedom, and human rights. With its Archive of the GDR Opposition — the most comprehensive collection of materials on opposition and resistance to the communist dictatorship since 1945 — and its extensive expertise in curating exhibitions and events, publishing, and maintaining a strong digital presence, the Robert Havemann Society serves as a central point of reference in the field of historical reappraisal and research. havemann-gesellschaft.de
Since March 2023, Frank Ebert has served as the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship. He was nominated by the Berlin Senate and appointed by the Berlin House of Representatives. Ebert, a former member of the East German opposition, has long been committed to educating the public about the SED regime. The Commissioner operates independently, both professionally and politically. His three core responsibilities include: advising victims of the SED dictatorship and public institutions; supporting educational and memorial projects about the East German regime; and offering the public political and historical education programs. He is also a point of contact for individuals seeking rehabilitation or compensation for political imprisonment, applying for victim pensions, or accessing their Stasi files. In addition, he advises authorities on matters relating to GDR history and supports the work of the Stasi Records Archive. aufarbeitung-berlin.de
"Inspiring the world for Berlin." With this mission, Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH promotes Berlin’s destination management as well as the city’s tourism and congress marketing. Under the visitBerlin brand, the company is a partner, actor, source of creative ideas, and networker. Its remit is focused on sustainable product development and marketing city-compatible tourism services in all twelve Berlin boroughs with the aim of maintaining the life quality of local residents and harmoniously increasing experience value for visitors. As a tour operator, visitBerlin also issues the Berlin WelcomeCard, the city’s official tourist ticket. The company also operates the Berlin Tourist Info Centres. On visitBerlin.de, Berlin’s official tourism website, visitors can find all the information they need on every aspect of their trip to the city. Find out more about visitBerlin on about.visitBerlin.de
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