For peace, against war – thousands of people pray and demonstrate in Berlin

taketonews



Sabine Klier

Ukrainians and Russians together – in Berlin united in fear for their friends and families in the war zone and in the desire for peace. They pray for this in the church, show their posters at the Brandenburg Gate and in front of the Russian embassy.

On Saturday morning, people flocked to the Russian Orthodox Church on Hohenzollerndamm (Wilmersdorf). Russians and Ukrainians light candles and cry together. Margareta Thiel (64) comes from Moscow and has lived in Berlin for 30 years: “I have good friends in Ukraine. I’m very scared for her and I prayed for her.” Today she wants to go to the demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate.

My friends live in Kharkiv (Ukraine). You live in a high-rise building. The elevator no longer runs. The mother does not come down the stairs. They're stuck there. I was in church today and prayed for her,
My friends live in Kharkiv (Ukraine). You live in a high-rise building. The elevator no longer runs. The mother does not come down the stairs. They’re stuck there. I was in church today and prayed for her,” says Margareta Thiel (64), who was born in Russia (Photo: Olaf Selchow)

Just like Olga T. (35), a political scientist from Moscow who has been working in Berlin for four years. “I am shocked and sad that there are people at war. Politics is a dirty business and people are dying. My Russian friends write on social media that they are ashamed to be Russian.”

Olga T. (35), political scientist from Moscow, has been in Berlin for four years: “I am shocked and sad that there are people at war there. I can do nothing but demonstrate. I'm not ashamed of being Russian, but I'm ashamed of my government and of Putin
Olga T. (35), political scientist from Moscow, has been in Berlin for four years: “I am shocked and sad that there are people at war there. I can do nothing but demonstrate. I’m not ashamed of being Russian, but I’m ashamed of my government and of Putin” (Photo: Olaf Selchow)

She sees things a little differently: “I’m not ashamed of being Russian, but I’m ashamed of my government and of Putin,” says the political scientist.

Anton Litvinov (21), student from Jena, with a Russian father and a German mother: “I never thought that there would be a war scenario in my life. War is disturbing. I'm afraid for my friends, for the people in Ukraine
Anton Litvinov (21), student from Jena, with a Russian father and a German mother: “I never thought that there would be a war scenario in my life. War is disturbing. I’m afraid for my friends, for the people in Ukraine” (Photo: Olaf Selchow)

Around 1,000 people gathered in front of the Russian embassy on Unter den Linden on Saturday afternoon. They lit candles and laid flowers. They demonstrated against Putin and against his war.

Student Sascha (23) from Kiev:
Student Sascha (23) from Kiev: “My family has been hiding in the bathroom for two days. This is the safest because it has no windows. The way to the bunker or to the subway is too far and dangerous. My uncle lives in the subway with his family. They are afraid of an atomic bomb attack” (Photo: Olaf Selchow)

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Among them was the software engineer Egor (32) from Omsk: “We support the people of Russia in their fight for peace. They must know that we are helping them on the way to peace.” His friend Denis (39) from Novosibirsk adds: “It must be shown that there are Russians who do not follow the propaganda.”

Student Oleksandra (22) from Poltava keeps in touch with her family via Skype.
Student Oleksandra (22) from Poltava keeps in touch with her family via Skype. “My parents and my little brother have packed their things, but they are not leaving. A bus ride would cost 1000 euros, they don’t have a car. They stocked up on supplies. There is nothing left in the supermarkets. I don’t sleep well” (Photo: Olaf Selchow)

The Ukrainian Oleksandra (22) came with friends from Nuremberg: “We are all very afraid for our families. stop the war!

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