On April 15, the plenary hall of the Academy of Arts (Akademie der Künste, Pariser Platz 4, 10117 Berlin-Mitte), the building of which is rightly recognized as a unique combination of refined aesthetics and multifunctionality, became the venue for the second open public forum – the “Day of Democracy and Cohesion.”

The first such event was organized on February 15 of the previous year. Its initiator was Walter Gauks, Commissioner of the Berlin Senate responsible for issues concerning Russian Germans, late repatriates, and forcibly displaced persons. From the very beginning, the event aimed to bring together representatives of various sectors: civil society, non-profit organizations, as well as political and business circles. It was intended to become a platform for dialogue, exchange of views, and the establishment of cooperation based on shared interests.

The main task of the event was to highlight activities aimed at strengthening democratic principles, actively involving citizens in public life, and developing social integration in Berlin. Particular attention was paid to demonstrating the contribution of Russian Germans, late repatriates, and displaced persons to the development of democratic foundations and their active participation in society.

In addition, the goal was to discuss in detail the issues of further involvement of these population groups in the social, cultural, and political life of Berlin. The need to ensure their equal access to social services, to create equal opportunities for older people, and to form fair conditions in the labor market, including the recognition of professional qualifications, was taken into account. This implies their full legal and social recognition.

The leitmotif of the “Day of Democracy and Cohesion” 2026 is noteworthy: “Strong Voices.” Here, certain explanations are required. In Germany, this phrase carries a special conceptual meaning in a figurative sense. It represents civic activists, volunteers, individual groups of citizens, associations, and organizations actively participating in the development and implementation of various initiatives and projects aimed at the practical realization of existing democratic rights and opportunities, as well as the involvement of citizens and their concrete participation in the life of society.

This year, the organizational preparation and implementation of the “Day of Democracy and Cohesion” was carried out by the organization Evropa e.V. This became possible thanks to an official proposal to the organization from the coordination office of the Commissioner of the Berlin Senate for the affairs of Russian Germans, late repatriates, and forcibly displaced persons. At the same time, the concept of the event was based on objectives that had been carefully developed earlier in the aforementioned office.

Representatives of the legislative and executive branches of the federal state of Berlin, district administrations of the capital, clergy, public organizations, associations of Russian Germans, as well as a number of authorities and institutions took part in the event dedicated to the “Day of Democracy and Cohesion.”

The participants of the forum were addressed by the Governing Mayor of Berlin and Prime Minister of the federal state of Berlin Kai Wegner, as well as the Senator of Berlin for Labor, Social Affairs, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Cansel Kızıltepe. This clearly demonstrates the interest of the Berlin authorities and numerous institutions and organizations in recognizing the significant role of Russian Germans, late repatriates, and forcibly displaced persons in the life of German society, as well as their evident readiness for a constructive, dignified, and respectful dialogue with them.

Undoubtedly, the most emotionally moving moments for many participants of the event were:

• the ceremony of honoring and awarding honorary certificates to volunteers and activists of public organizations, associations, and societies (these are the “Strong Voices”!);

• the presentation of the film “Two Years of Communication with Russian Germans, Late Repatriates and Forcibly Displaced Persons” (about the work of W. Gauks in his role as Commissioner of the Berlin Senate with these population groups);

• vivid and memorable performances by artists and creative groups.

The “Day of Democracy and Cohesion” 2026 in Berlin clearly emphasized the importance of trust and cohesion for social harmony and the development of society, once again becoming a kind of impetus for further work in this direction.